BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women’s basketball team will add four newcomers to its roster this fall, head coach Sue Troyan announced Tuesday. Center Alison Buchan, guard Kristen Dalton, guard Alex Ross, and forward Wendy Szczerbiak comprise Lehigh’s Class of 2010. This year’s class represents four different states as part of Lehigh’s continued national recruiting effort.
The only Pennsylvania native in this year’s group, Alison Buchan comes to Lehigh after an impressive career at Westmont Hilltop high school in Johnstown, Pa. Although slowed by injury as a senior, Buchan still averaged ten points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game as a forward, and was recognized as one of the top three forwards in western Pennsylvania. Buchan’s squad reached the Pennsylvania state finals in each of her final two seasons, and the team posted a remarkable 115-14 record during her four years. In 2005-06, Westmont Hilltop won the Laurel Athletic Conference and reached the state championship game. At 6’2”, Troyan anticipates Buchan will move to the center position at Lehigh.
“Ali has come from one of the top high school programs in the state of Pennsylvania,” Troyan said. “Although she was limited with her playing time this past year while recovering from an injury, she played a pivotal role in her team’s success throughout the season. She is a very skilled power forward who possesses strong athleticism combined with strength and skill in the post position. We expect Ali to come in and compete for playing time at the center position as a freshman.”
A terrific leader on the floor, Kristen Dalton joins the Mountain Hawks after a fantastic senior season at Monmouth Regional high school in Monmouth, N.J. The 5’10” shooting/swing guard was a three-time team captain and was named the winner of the 2005 Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership award. On the court, Dalton’s play helped lead her team to 21 wins and a berth in the Group 3 state finals. Dalton averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in her senior season. She racked up several individual accolades along the way, including first team All-Shore, All-Monmouth County first team, All-Group 3 first team, and Class B North All-Division team recognition. Dalton was named to the New Jersey state third team.
“Kristen has come off of a very strong senior season leading her team to the state finals,” Troyan points out. “She possesses a great understanding of the game and a strong competitive spirit. She’s a player who will make all of those around her better with her ability to make plays and her complete game. She’s a tremendous passer, a strong rebounder, and a player who can score on the perimeter or going to the basket. We expect her to compete for playing time at the swing guard position this season.”
Following a standout career at Columbia Central high school in Columbia, Tenn., versatile guard Alex Ross joins the Mountain Hawks as both a point guard and a shooting guard. Standing at 5’10”, Ross averaged 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals per game in her senior season. One of the top defensive players in her area, Ross earned team most valuable player and District 8AAA Player of the Year honors. Ross helped her team to the district quarterfinals in 2006 and to a district title in 2005 – as her team won 30 games that season. In her career, Ross scored 1,143 points at Columbia Central.
“Alex comes from a very successful high school program where she played a pivotal role in her team’s success over the past three years,” Troyan explains. “She is a versatile guard who has the ability to play the point and the shooting guard positions. She has been a proven scorer in high school, but her game is much more complete than only scoring – she’s a very strong defender, a strong rebounder, a great passer, and a player who possesses a strong understanding of the game. We expect her to compete for playing time next season at both positions.”
A proven scorer and an excellent passer in the post, Wendy Szczerbiak comes to Lehigh from Cold Spring Harbor high school in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. The 6’2” Szczerbiak dominated inside, scoring 20 points per game, grabbing 18 rebounds per game, and averaging five assists per game as a senior. An All-Long Island selection, Szczerbiak helped the Seahawks reach the New York state tournament, earning Nassau County tournament MVP honors. A first team All-State Group B selection in 2006, Szczerbiak established a new Cold Spring Harbor record with over 1,800 career points scored.
“Wendy led her high school team to a Long Island Championship and a birth in the New York state tournament as a senior this past season. She played a pivotal role in her team’s success averaging 20 points per game for the season and 25 during her team’s post season run,” Troyan said. “She is a versatile forward with a ton of offensive skills: she has the ability to score on the perimeter, in the low block and in transition, and is a very strong passer. We expect Wendy to step into the program and compete for playing time at the power forward position.”
Along with the four newcomers, the Mountain Hawks return ten letter winners to next year’s team.
Lehigh women’s basketball Class of 2010
|
Name |
Pos. |
Hometown |
High School |
College enrolled |
|
Alison Buchan |
C |
Johnstown, Pa. |
Westmont Hilltop |
Arts and Sciences |
|
Kristen Dalton |
G |
Monmouth, N.J. |
Monmouth Regional |
Business |
|
Alex Ross |
G |
Columbia, Tenn. |
Columbia Central |
Arts and Sciences |
|
Wendy Szczerbiak |
F |
Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. |
Cold Spring Harbor |
Business |
