More Size Arives For Womens' Hoops

Right on the heels of signing 6'7" Thais Pinto, Oregon St. womens' basketball coach Scott Rueck has announced the signing of another JC transfer post player. 6'4" post player Patricia Bright comes to Oregon St. from Phoenix, AZ, and Desert Vista High School, by way of Pensacola State College in Florida.

As a sophomore this past season at Pensacola St., Bright was a key part of the Pirates' 36-1 season, and a third place finish at the NJCAA Tournament, with their only loss being in the national semi-finals.

"Patricia knows what it takes to be successful," Rueckl said. "She comes to us from a top-notch junior college program and having played for Chanda Rigby. She is a long, athletic player, who has great speed, and can play both post positions. Offensively, she has the ability to step out and shoot the three, as well as score with her back to the basket."

Bright has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

While Oregon St. lost most of their games this past season, going 9-21, they were withing a basket or two of winning on numerous occasions, losing 13 games by single digit margins, and 10 by six points or less. The shortage of post size was often a factor. Rueck also noted the difference between winning and losing close games at the Pac-10 level often came down to players' confidence in their ability to win at the collegiate level.

Rueck is attempting to address both issues with the injection of players with success at the JC level, and also some size.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com