Nicole Wilhite

PARKVILLE, Mo. – Park University women’s basketball head coach Kenneth Cooper announced his first recruiting class on Friday afternoon that includes five players, three of which are first time freshman and two who are transfer students.

“All five of our new recruits will bring a lot of assets to Park University, not only as an athlete on the court but as a student in the classroom as well,” said Cooper.

Nicole Wilhite is one of two transfer students that will join Park University for the first time in 2010-11. Wilhite is a 6’1 small forward, slash power forward who spent her freshman season at California Baptist University and her sophomore season at Palomar Community College.

While at Cal Bap, Wilhite played in 23 games and averaged seven points and 20.3 minutes per game. She shot 40-percent from the field for the Lancers and 35-percent from beyond the arc.

At Palomar CC, the Lake Elsinore, Calif. native averaged 12.3 points per game and shot a stellar 44-percent from behind the three-point line. She also averaged 4.3 rebounds per game and shot 73-percent from the free-throw line.

She sat out the 2009-10 season due to an injury, but Coach Cooper is excited to see her play for the Pirates in 2010-11.

“Nicole will bring some tremendous outside shooting and intensity to our team,” said Cooper. “We are looking for big things from her this season and throughout her career at Park University.”

Briana Beridon

Briana Beridon is the second transfer student to join Park for the 2010-11 season. Beridon transfers to Park after spending one season at Cal State Poly-Pomona.

Ayala High School in Chino Hills, Calif., she recorded 37 points in a playoff game against Fontana High.

She was a four year starter for Ayala and was named to the All-League first-team her junior and senior year.

“Briana is a quick point guard with great floor vision, nice ball handling skills and is a hard nosed competitor,” said Cooper.

Vivan Holcomb

Vivian Holcomb is one of the three freshman to join the Pirates this season. Holcomb comes to Parkville from Ben Davis High School located in Indianapolis, Ind.
 
Holcomb helped lead Ben Davis to State Championships her junior and senior year’s and her squad in 2008-09 was named a National Champion by ESPN, USA Today and MaxPrep.

Her team accumulated a record of 100-7 in her four years and Holcomb was named an Indiana Top 100 recruit her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

The 5’11 guard led her team in field-goal percentage her freshman season at 58-percent.

“Vivian has a tremendous upside, she can play both inside and outside and brings a wealth of experience at both of those positions,” said Cooper.

Rounding out the class is freshman Joby Parton and freshman Trinity Vickers. Parton is a 5’7 guard out of Independence, Mo. and played at William Chrisman High School. Vickers is a 5’7 guard out of Indianapolis, Ind. and played for Northwest High School.

-PARK-