Hawks add four with size, athleticism

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Dickinson State women’s basketball coach Andre Goldberg went on the recruiting trail last winter in search of big, athletic players with the ability to play several positions on the court.

He found some.

Goldberg has announced the signing of two junior college transfers and two high school standouts from eastern Montana.

Dawne Degel of Sheridan (Wyo.) College and Yianni Nadeau of Casper (Wyo.) College will come to the Blue Hawks as juniors next season.

Janae Moore, a Sidney (Mont.) High School graduate, and Rae Mader, a Custer County (Mont.) High School graduate, will be freshmen.

Goldberg said finding replacements for departed seniors and a long-time starters Amber Adams, Kelsey Boedeker and Teryl Norton was difficult.

“It’s hard to replace those ones, but I think we did a good job of filling in depth,” Goldberg said. “With Dawne and Yianna, they bring a lot to the table in their scoring ability and just making us that much better.”

Degel, a 5-foot-11 forward from Twin Bridges, Mont., averaged 17 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 70 percent from the free-throw line at Sheridan last season while earning All-Region IX and NJCAA Academic All-America honors.

Degel has the ability to be interchangeable at different positions.

“Last year I played everywhere but (point guard),” she said with a laugh.

Nadeau should give the Blue Hawks a similar presence, Goldberg said.

The 5-9 shooting guard from Portland, Ore., averaged 5 points per game in the 2009-10 season for what Goldberg called a “loaded” Casper College team that reached the junior college national tournament.

She spent last season as the team’s volunteer assistant coach.

“She’s a bigger shooting guard who can really shoot the 3 really well, but she’s very athletic and can handle the ball extremely well,” Goldberg said.

In Moore and Mader, the Blue Hawks are getting a pair of frontcourt players to build around.

Moore, a 5-11 forward-center, was a Montana Class A all-state first team selection.

“She’s one that’s going to add a lot more depth at the post position for us,” Goldberg said.

Mader, a 5-10 forward, was an Eastern A all-conference pick. She played with Division I recruit Kalli Durham.

“She probably didn’t get a chance to do as many things as she’s capable of,” Goldberg said. “But she does have a very nice 15-foot jump shot and has a bigger build. She can add some more depth at the four-spot.”

Tags: blue hawks, college basketball, sports, recruiting