Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Women's Basketball Announces Top Recruiting Class in the MAC
11/9/2016 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Head Coach Fred Castro's first recruiting class ranks 58th nationally
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University Head Women's Basketball Coach Fred Castro announced the signing of his inaugural recruiting class of four high school seniors to National Letters of Intent Wednesday, Nov. 9. The Eagles inked Courtnie Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton), Autumn Hudson (Richwood, Ohio-North Union), RayJon Harris (Euclid, Ohio-Euclid), and Juanita Agosto (Seattle, Wa.-Garfield).
Since arriving in Ypsilanti in May, Castro and his staff have hit the recruiting trail hard, securing the top-ranked recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference and 58th overall according to prospectnation.com. EMU's group features four nationally ranked recruits, including one four-star and one three star according to prospectnation.com.
"We are thrilled to announce the signing of our 2017 class," Castro said. "These four young ladies are quality people who are very talented basketball players. Autumn Hudson and Rayjon Harris add size and athleticism to our front line, while Juanita Agosto and Courtnie Lewis are both explosive scorers with elite athleticism. I want to thank my staff for hitting the ground running from day one, this recruiting class will bring a great deal of excitement to the Convocation Center."
Lewis, a 5-foot-10 guard hailing from Belton, Mo., is a dynamic player that can help the Eagles stretch the floor. During her high school career, Lewis has averaged 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. A decorated prep athlete, Lewis has been named all-state, all-district, all-conference, and has been named a DiRenna Award finalist. Holding the Belton High School records for most free throws made in a game (19) and most points scored in a season (589), Lewis has served as a captain for the Pirates for three seasons. She led Belton High School to a district championship, converting a three-point play with 3.9 seconds left to claim the District 13 title. Lewis comes from the same high school as former EMU standout Paige Reditt (2008-12), who helped the Eagles to the 2011-12 MAC Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Courtnie Lewis is a diamond in the rough, although she did not play in the big AAU events she has made a name for herself in the Midwest as one of the best scorers in Missouri," added Castro. "She has a unique combination of power and speed which allows her to get anywhere on the court she wants. Her ability to shoot the three really makes her a match up nightmare at any level."
According to Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, Lewis is an "athletic off-guard that brings a consistent scoring punch to the back court. Potentially, an impact guard for Eastern Michigan."
A 6-foot-5 forward, Hudson immediately bolsters the Eagles' post play. A three-star recruit according to prospectnation.com, she has reeled in first team all-league, second team all-district, and All-Ohio Honorable Mention honors during her career at North Union High School. Hudson fueled the Wildcats to a conference championship and a runner-up finish at districts while serving as a captain during her junior season. Hudson joins Colleen Russell (2004-08) as the tallest players in program history.
"Autumn Hudson at 6-foot-5 is one of the few true post players in the 2017 class," remarked Castro. "Her size and skill set will give us a low post presence on both ends of the floor. Autumn has great hands which allows her to catch just about anything thrown her way, I look forward to seeing her grow under our player development."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz lists Hudson as "an imposing low-post presence with nimble footwork, hands that catch and finish plays in traffic. Certainly a prospect with superior size and a chance to make an impact on the collegiate level."
Harris is a 6-foot-1 center out of Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio. A well-rounded post player, Harris has averaged 12.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game during her prep career, all of which lead the team. A talented player that has the ability to take over a game down low, Harris captained the Panthers to their first regional appearance in 28 years.
"Rayjon Harris came to our team camp and dominated in every game she played," said Castro. "She is a tremendous competitor with athleticism and size. Her ability to defend, rebound, and run the floor will help our team from day one. Rayjon has the potential to be a special player in the MAC."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, recognizes Harris as "an athletic faceup-four prospect, quick-leaper, active on the glass. Harris has all the tools of a prototype power forward with the potential to make an early impact on the college level."
Hailing from Seattle, Wa., Agosto is a four-star recruit according to prospectnation.com and a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com. A 5-foot-6 point guard out of Garfield High School, Agosto is a four-time captain and is ranked as the 105th-best player in the nation according to Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She led the conference in steals and points as a junior, ultimately earning all-conference honors. Last season, Agosto averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.4 steals per game. A confident floor leader, Agosto is the 23rd ranked point guard in the 2017 class, and can handle and distribute in up-tempo offenses, while also providing a consistent mid-range game.
"I have been fortunate to watch Juanita play since she was a freshman in high school," added Castro. "Juanita is a rare athlete that is capable of freakish things because of her quickness and 37-inch vertical. Although Juanita has battled some injuries throughout high school, she has continued to improve her craft even while injured. Juanita plays with great energy and flare, she is sure to provide our team with many highlight type plays."
According to Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, Agosto is "an ultra-athletic point guard with a capable scoring punch. She's jet-quick, tough to contain, can beat you off the dribble or knock down the mid-range jumper, Agosto is a gem of a player."
Eastern Michigan officially opens the season this weekend, Nov. 12-13, at the Donna Murphy Classic hosted by Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. EMU tips off the weekend, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. against Georgia State University.
2016 EMU Women's Basketball Recruiting Class
Name Pos. Ht. Cl.-El. Hometown-High School
Courtnie Lewis G 5-10 Fr.-Fr. Belton, Mo.-Belton
Autumn Hudson F 6-5 Fr.-Fr. Richwood, Ohio-North Union
RayJon Harris F 6-1 Fr.-Fr. Euclid, Ohio-Euclid
Juanita Agosto G 5-6 Fr.-Fr. Seattle, Wa.-Garfield
Since arriving in Ypsilanti in May, Castro and his staff have hit the recruiting trail hard, securing the top-ranked recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference and 58th overall according to prospectnation.com. EMU's group features four nationally ranked recruits, including one four-star and one three star according to prospectnation.com.
"We are thrilled to announce the signing of our 2017 class," Castro said. "These four young ladies are quality people who are very talented basketball players. Autumn Hudson and Rayjon Harris add size and athleticism to our front line, while Juanita Agosto and Courtnie Lewis are both explosive scorers with elite athleticism. I want to thank my staff for hitting the ground running from day one, this recruiting class will bring a great deal of excitement to the Convocation Center."
Lewis, a 5-foot-10 guard hailing from Belton, Mo., is a dynamic player that can help the Eagles stretch the floor. During her high school career, Lewis has averaged 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. A decorated prep athlete, Lewis has been named all-state, all-district, all-conference, and has been named a DiRenna Award finalist. Holding the Belton High School records for most free throws made in a game (19) and most points scored in a season (589), Lewis has served as a captain for the Pirates for three seasons. She led Belton High School to a district championship, converting a three-point play with 3.9 seconds left to claim the District 13 title. Lewis comes from the same high school as former EMU standout Paige Reditt (2008-12), who helped the Eagles to the 2011-12 MAC Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"Courtnie Lewis is a diamond in the rough, although she did not play in the big AAU events she has made a name for herself in the Midwest as one of the best scorers in Missouri," added Castro. "She has a unique combination of power and speed which allows her to get anywhere on the court she wants. Her ability to shoot the three really makes her a match up nightmare at any level."
According to Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, Lewis is an "athletic off-guard that brings a consistent scoring punch to the back court. Potentially, an impact guard for Eastern Michigan."
A 6-foot-5 forward, Hudson immediately bolsters the Eagles' post play. A three-star recruit according to prospectnation.com, she has reeled in first team all-league, second team all-district, and All-Ohio Honorable Mention honors during her career at North Union High School. Hudson fueled the Wildcats to a conference championship and a runner-up finish at districts while serving as a captain during her junior season. Hudson joins Colleen Russell (2004-08) as the tallest players in program history.
"Autumn Hudson at 6-foot-5 is one of the few true post players in the 2017 class," remarked Castro. "Her size and skill set will give us a low post presence on both ends of the floor. Autumn has great hands which allows her to catch just about anything thrown her way, I look forward to seeing her grow under our player development."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz lists Hudson as "an imposing low-post presence with nimble footwork, hands that catch and finish plays in traffic. Certainly a prospect with superior size and a chance to make an impact on the collegiate level."
Harris is a 6-foot-1 center out of Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio. A well-rounded post player, Harris has averaged 12.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game during her prep career, all of which lead the team. A talented player that has the ability to take over a game down low, Harris captained the Panthers to their first regional appearance in 28 years.
"Rayjon Harris came to our team camp and dominated in every game she played," said Castro. "She is a tremendous competitor with athleticism and size. Her ability to defend, rebound, and run the floor will help our team from day one. Rayjon has the potential to be a special player in the MAC."
Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, recognizes Harris as "an athletic faceup-four prospect, quick-leaper, active on the glass. Harris has all the tools of a prototype power forward with the potential to make an early impact on the college level."
Hailing from Seattle, Wa., Agosto is a four-star recruit according to prospectnation.com and a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com. A 5-foot-6 point guard out of Garfield High School, Agosto is a four-time captain and is ranked as the 105th-best player in the nation according to Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. She led the conference in steals and points as a junior, ultimately earning all-conference honors. Last season, Agosto averaged 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 4.4 steals per game. A confident floor leader, Agosto is the 23rd ranked point guard in the 2017 class, and can handle and distribute in up-tempo offenses, while also providing a consistent mid-range game.
"I have been fortunate to watch Juanita play since she was a freshman in high school," added Castro. "Juanita is a rare athlete that is capable of freakish things because of her quickness and 37-inch vertical. Although Juanita has battled some injuries throughout high school, she has continued to improve her craft even while injured. Juanita plays with great energy and flare, she is sure to provide our team with many highlight type plays."
According to Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report and espnW hoopgurlz, Agosto is "an ultra-athletic point guard with a capable scoring punch. She's jet-quick, tough to contain, can beat you off the dribble or knock down the mid-range jumper, Agosto is a gem of a player."
Eastern Michigan officially opens the season this weekend, Nov. 12-13, at the Donna Murphy Classic hosted by Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky. EMU tips off the weekend, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. against Georgia State University.
2016 EMU Women's Basketball Recruiting Class
Name Pos. Ht. Cl.-El. Hometown-High School
Courtnie Lewis G 5-10 Fr.-Fr. Belton, Mo.-Belton
Autumn Hudson F 6-5 Fr.-Fr. Richwood, Ohio-North Union
RayJon Harris F 6-1 Fr.-Fr. Euclid, Ohio-Euclid
Juanita Agosto G 5-6 Fr.-Fr. Seattle, Wa.-Garfield
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