Women's Basketball Adds Three in Spring Signing Period
Apr 15, 2015 | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. ā Omaha women's basketball coach Brittany Lange announced Wednesday the additions of Jay Bridgeman, Abi Lujan and Kalen Phillips to the Mavericks' 2015-16 roster. All three recently signed their National Letters of Intent to play for UNO and join a class that already includes prep standouts Caroline Hogue, Ellie Brecht, Sara Echelberry and Amber Vidal.
Bridgeman and Phillips come to Omaha as true freshmen, while Lujan will transfer in as a junior.
"I am so proud that these three quality young women are joining the maverick program," said head coach Brittany Lange. "Each player brings something different and represents a class very passionate about playing at Omaha. These three talented ladies exude superior character, work ethic and intangibles that will add athleticism and versatility to all positions on the floor for us."
Jay Bridgeman (6-1) | F | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha Westside HS
A first-team All-Nebraska selection, Bridgeman led Omaha Westside to a Nebraska Class A state championship this season.Ā Bridgeman averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while hitting 54 percent of her field goal attempts.
In this year's title game Bridgeman led her team to a 53-40 victory behind a 16 point and 9 rebound effort. The Warriors ended the year with an impressive 24-4 record and Bridgeman was named the Captain of the All- State Tournament team.Ā
Coach Lange on Bridgeman:
"We are very excited to have Jay join us as a Maverick and are proud of her being the first in the DI era to represent us as an Omaha native. Jay is a smart, physical inside player that had a great senior campaign establishing herself as a strong leader, competitor and dominant post presence in the metro area. She is coachable, has great hands and along with her physical play, has the ability to step out and face the basket, which will fit our style of play greatly."
Abi Lujan (5-11) | G | Brighton, Colo. | Western Nebraska CC | Highlands Ranch HS
A four-year letter winner at Highlands Ranch High School, Lujan was a member of the 2011 Falcons' state championship team as well as the state runner-up team in 2013. During her prep career, Lujan earned first team all-conference honors and was an Honorable Mention All-State performer.
Following high school, Lujan averaged 6.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in her sophomore year at Western Nebraska Community College. During her two seasons at WNCC, Lujan played in two straight NJCAA National Tournaments and won District 9 Region titles both years. She led the Cougars in minutes played with 758 (33 games/33 starts) and was a 46.1 percent shooter from the floor (83-for-180).Ā Lujan was also named to the Region 9 All-Defensive team.
Coach Lange on Lujan:
"Abi only knows winning and she has been a huge reason why her teams at both the high school and junior college levels have won. We expect her to bring an elevated sense of competitiveness, rebounding and size on the perimeter for us. She is an unselfish player and person that does all the dirty work on both ends of the floor, in which she takes great pride. She will add a great deal to our young team."
Kalen Phillips (5-9) | G | Ellisville, Miss. | South Jones HS
A three-time All-District honoree and multi-sport athlete at South Jones High School, Phillips finished her senior season averaging 19.0 points, 7.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 2.0 blocks. Twice Phillips led her Braves to the Region 5-5A championship game and was selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game. Ā
Phillips' has been honored with the South Jones Academic Award three times, tabbed a scholar athlete and inducted into the South Jones Hall of Fame.
Coach Lange on Phillips:
"Kalen is an exceptional kid and a very strong, athletic combo guard that will be able to create for us and adds an element that we have not had to this point. She has a knack for getting by defenders and seeing the floor, and we believe her best basketball is in front of her. Kalen has tremendous potential between her elite athleticism and well-rounded skill set and we look forward to her development and additions to the program."
November Signees' Senior Accomplishments
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Omaha Fall Signees (L-R) Ellie Brecht, Caroline Hogue, Sara Echelberry, and Amber Vidal.
Ellie Brecht was a repeat first-team all-state selection from Sioux Falls Lincoln High School.Ā Brecht averaged 18.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. She was one of only five players in Class AA to hit 33 percent or better (minimum 80 attempts) from beyond the arc.Ā This season Brecht scored her 1,000th career point and set the South Dakota state tournament record with eight three-pointers made in a single game. She is a South Dakota Miss Basketball nominee and was named to the academic all-state team.
Sara EchelberryĀ finished her prep career by earning four varsity letters in three sports (basketball, volleyball, and track) at Conway Springs High School.Ā This season Echelberry averaged 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game on her way to earning first-team Central Plains League accolades to go along with Honorable Mention All-State honors.Ā She was also named to the Sedgwick Kansas All-Tournament team. Ā
Caroline Hogue earned all-state and first team all-conference honors at Arkansas Baptist High School this season. She led her team by averaging 16.2 points, 12.8 rebounds and 8.5 blocks per game. Hogue finished her prep career with 933 total blocked shots, which ranks second all-time nationally.Ā She was also honored as a McDonalds All-American nominee.
Amber Vidal was named District 27-6A Most Valuable Player and was a McDonalds All-American Nominee following a sensational senior campaign in which she led her team to a perfect 13-0 run through districts. Vidal led the Panthers with 101 assists and 82 steals, while averaging 17.9 points per game. She was named to three tournament teams and also earned E-N All-Area Super Team and TABC All-State and TABC All Star honors.Ā
