Nov. 16, 2012
VERMILLION, S.D. – Women's basketball coach Amy Williams is pleased to announce the signings of Bridget Arens and Jaylah Jackson to South Dakota's 2013-14 recruiting class on Friday.
Arens, a native of Crofton, Neb., is a six-foot post player who averaged 16.1 points and seven rebounds last season as a junior at Crofton High School. Jackson, a native of Olathe, Kan., is a 5-foot-7-inch guard at Olathe Northwest High School and earned Class 6A honorable mention honors last season.
We're excited to have both Bridget and Jaylah sign with South Dakota, said Williams. Both are excellent players who came from well-respected programs with great coaches. Coach (Joel) Branstrom and Coach (Aaron) Losing did excellent jobs in helping develop these two players.
Arens led Crofton to a Nebraska C2 State Championship last season, and was named a first-team all-state player. She spent last summer playing AAU basketball with the Pinnacle Bank Nebraska All-Stars.
Bridget's a workhorse and a versatile player, said Williams. She's the definition of Coyote basketball. She's got a great work ethic and is not afraid to get in and score or rebound.
Arens went to the same high school as Amber Hegge, who led the Coyotes in scoring last season at 19.2 ppg and is second among USD's all-time leading scorers at 1,759 career points.
Bridget's developed into a versatile player who's very physical, said Crofton High School coach Aaron Losing. She plays very well at both ends of the court. She's got the ability to post up against smaller players, but her shooting and ball handling skills will help her against some of the bigger players she will see in the Summit League.
Jackson averaged 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game last season. An all-state selection as a sophomore, she helped Olathe Northwest to a second-place finish at the state tournament in her junior season.
Jaylah's a game changer, Williams said. She's a strong guard who has strength and size and can handle the ball well. She can score the ball in a lot of different ways and the energy she plays with is contagious.
Jackson helped the Missouri Valley Blazers Elite team to a record of 20-7 this past summer.
You never have to tell her to pick up the intensity, said Olathe Northwest High School coach Joel Branstrom. She fits the mold of a player that can go up and down the court. She's athletic, creates her own shots, and is not afraid to share the ball.
Both players will be playing for a program that has reached two postseason tournaments in four seasons at the Division I level.
