OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha women's basketball head coach Brittany Lange announced today the signings of 6-foot post Caroline Hogue (Little Rock, Ark.), 5-foot-11 guard Ellie Brecht (Sioux Falls, SD), 6-foot-2 guard/forward Sara Echelberry (Conway Springs, Kan.), and 5-foot-6 guard Amber Vidal (San Antonio, Texas) to National Letters of Intent to join the Mavericks for the 2015-16 academic year.
“We could not be more thrilled to be adding these four talented young ladies to our program,” head coach Brittany Lange said. “This class is filled with high quality people that come from incredible families across the country and have the ability to be high impact players within our program. Each player is different, versatile, and as a whole they complement each other while bringing elevated athleticism, scoring, IQ, and competitiveness to our team. I have been waiting a long time for these four to sign on this day, and could not be more proud of a group representing the Maverick program.”
Caroline Hogue, Fr., C, 6-0, Little Rock, Ark. (Arkansas Baptist HS)
Hogue is a three-time all-conference, two-time all-state performer at Arkansas Baptist High School. As a junior, she averaged a triple-double with 16.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.6 blocks per game. Hogue holds the state of Arkansas all-time record for career blocks with 774.
Coach Lange on Hogue:
“Caroline is unlike any player we have had at Omaha or that I have seen play in her position. She is lefty forward that can score as well from the three as she does inside. She has great hands and mature vision for facilitating in the post. She has been taught to play the game in the right way and her effectiveness as a shot blocker is extremely impressive at her size. “
Ellie Brecht, Fr., G, 5-11, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Lincoln HS)
Brecht averaged 16.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season for the Patriots. Brecht was named to the all-city, all-conference, and all-state first teams in 2014, along with capturing the South Dakota State AA Championship in 2013. Ellie was also named academic all-state in 2014.
Coach Lange on Brecht:
“Ellie is a very efficient scorer and knock down shooter that will add a great amount of work-ethic, IQ, and height to our perimeter game. She comes from a talented basketball family and is a relentless worker that represents all the qualities we value most in our players.”
Sara Echelberry, Fr., G/F, 6-2, Conway Springs, Kan. (Conway Springs HS)
Echelberry averaged 15.4 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game for Conway Springs High School last season. She led her team in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots as a junior. Echelberry was also the leading scorer in the Central Plains League last season.
Coach Lange on Echelberry:
“We are very excited about the amount of upside Sara possesses and her ability to play inside and on the perimeter. She is a great looking athlete at 6'2 that shoots the ball very well from behind the arc. Her competitive attitude, athleticism, and shooting ability will be a very effective combination in her future.”
Amber Vidal, Fr., G, 5-6, San Antonio, Texas (O'Connor HS)
Vidal is a two-time all-district performer at O'Connor High School in San Antonio, Texas and was also named to the all-region team as a junior. She averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Vidal holds the O'Connor High School record for three-pointers in a single game with seven.
Coach Lange on Vidal:
“Amber is a play maker that fans will enjoy watching due to her creativity and efficiency. She is quick with the ball and can score and distribute in a multitude of ways. Her skill set will allow us to open things up offensively, and I love her fearless mindset and feel at the point guard position.”
Omaha will graduate three seniors from this season's team. The Mavericks open the 2014-15 season at home against Alcorn State on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. in Sapp Fieldhouse.
