Hofstra University Head Women's Basketball Coach Felisha Legette-Jack (pictured) today announced the signing of guard Samantha Brigham of Simsbury, Connecticut, to a national letter of intent. Brigham, who currently plays for Simsbury High School in Simsbury, CT under the direction of coach Jack Casey, will begin her academic and athletic career at Hofstra beginning in the fall of 2006.
"We are so excited to have Sam join our Hofstra family," commented Legette-Jack. "She is what I consider a tough kid that loves competition. Sam is a great defender, who is a solid offensive threat and she brings an immense amount of energy every time she steps on the court. She is a tireless worker, a great student and Sam understands what it takes to pursue championships. We are lucky to have her as a member of our program."
A two-time all-conference selection and a tri-captain of the Simsbury High School Trojans, the 5-10 guard was a 2004 Hartford Courant preseason Top 25. In addition, as a freshman and a sophomore Brigham was named to the Hartford Courant "Others to Watch" list.
Brigham has averaged at least nine points a game in each of her three varsity seasons thus far. As a freshman, she averaged nine points and 2.4 assists and followed that up in her sophomore campaign with averages of 11 points and 2.8 assists. Last season, as a junior, Brigham scored 9.1 points and dished out 3.6 assists per game.
Brigham, who also played three years of soccer and ran track for one season, is a member of the Connecticut Shamrocks AAU team that finished fourth in the nation in 2003, fifth in 2004 and ninth in 2005.
The 2005-06 Hofstra Women's Basketball season gets underway this Friday when the Pride faces Fordham University at 7 p.m. in Hofstra Arena. Hofstra returns eight letter winners from a season ago, including three players who earned All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) honors. Those three players, juniors guard Cigi McCollin (Long Island City, NY - first team), center Vanessa Gidden (Stamford, CT - third team and all-defensive team) and forward Lizanne Murphy (Beaconfield, Quebec, Canada - third team and all-academic team) are joined on the roster by returning senior forward Amaka Agugua (Herndon, VA). Agugua returns this season after missing the 2004-05 with an injury. A 2003-04 All-CAA second team selection, Agugua led Hofstra in points (12.0 per game) and rebounds (6.5 per game) as a junior in 2003-04.
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