Women's Basketball Inks Junior College Guard Jaquetta Westley
Tuesday, June 24 2008
Youngstown – Jaquetta Westley (Joliet, Ill./Township), a 5-foot-7 guard from Spoon River College, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her education and basketball career at Youngstown State University, Head Coach Cindy Martin announced Monday.

Westley, who is Martin's third signee, will be a junior and have two years of eligibility beginning in the 2008-09 season.

"We are very fortunate to pick up someone with Jaquetta’s talent and college experience," Martin said. "Jaquetta is a strong and physical guard that can create her own shot off the dribble. She will be great in our transition game both offensively and defensively."

Last season at Spoon River, Westley was named first-team all-region and all-conference after averaging 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals per game.

Westley was also a first-team all-conference selection as a freshman at Spoon River.

"The reason I chose YSU is because I love the atmosphere of the campus and feel comfortable around the players and coaches," Westley said. "YSU is giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to further my basketball career and my education so I can be on top of my game on and off the court."

Westley joins Kenya Middlebrooks (Toledo, Ohio), Macey Nortey (Long Beach, Calif.) and Camisha Alexander (Beckley, W.Va.), who signed during the early signing period, in the 2008-09 recruiting class.

Kenya Middlebrooks Signs with Women's Basketball
Thursday, May 15 2008
Youngstown – The Youngstown State women’s basketball team has signed Kenya Middlebrooks (Toledo, Ohio) to a National Letter of Intent to join the program for the 2008-09 season, Head Coach Cindy Martin announced Thursday.

Middlebrooks, a 5-foot, 8-inch guard from Toledo Waite High School, is the second player in a week to sign with the Penguins.

“Kenya is a very athletic guard that is a true defensive stopper,” Martin said. “She will make an immediate impact in our transition game and our full-court pressure defense. She also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim.”

“Kenya is coming from a great high school program where she has already been taught the fundamentals of the game,” Martin added.

A three-year starter and four-year letterwinner, Middlebrooks helped Waite to two conference championships and the school’s first regional appearance in 2007.

Last season, the Division I third-team all-district selection averaged 10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Middlebrooks was impressed by Martin’s commitment to academics and expectations for the program.

“The coaches stressed that grades and success in the classroom will always come first,” Middlebrooks said. “The coaching staff has high expectations for the program and I know they will work very hard every step of the way. I am excited about experiencing college life as a member of the YSU women’s basketball team.”

Middlebrooks also liked YSU’s proximity to her hometown.

“I chose YSU because it wasn’t too far from home, the size was just right and I felt comfortable when I visited campus. The players and coaches were nice and I’m excited about getting to know my teammates better for the upcoming season.”

Middlebrooks joins Macey Nortey (Long Beach, Calif.) and Camisha Alexander (Beckley, W.Va.), who signed during the early signing period, in the 2008-09 recruiting class.

Women’s Basketball Inks Macey Nortey to National Letter of Intent
Monday, May 12 2008
Youngstown – Youngstown State women’s basketball Head Coach Cindy Martin announced on Monday that Macey Nortey (Long Beach, Calif.) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Penguins program for the 2008-09 basketball season.

A 5-foot-3 point guard, Nortey was a four-time all-conference selection and averaged 4.4 points, 4.0 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game in 2007-08. Nortey also led Millikan High School to a school-record 24 wins last season.

“Macey is what I would consider a true point guard,” Martin said. “She can handle the ball, defend for 94 feet, and get the ball to our scorers. We will be able to really push the tempo on our fast break with Macey on the floor.

"Macey has a tremendous work ethic,” Martin added. “Her dedication to academics and to basketball is exactly what this program needs."

Nortey, a starter in the First Annual So-Cal Sparks All-Star Game, guided Millikan to a conference co-championship and the program’s first appearance in the state playoffs. Nortey said Youngstown State was a perfect fit for her to continue her education and basketball career.

“I chose Youngstown State because of the school, players and coaches.” Nortey said. “It fit every puzzle piece that I need to not only be a successful student-athlete but a better person. I felt right at home at YSU and I know we are going to be successful with the very talented coaching staff we have.

“I am excited to play with good post players and I know it will be my job to get them the ball,” Nortey added.

Martin Completes Staff With Hiring of Jen Duhnke, Shannon Sword
Thursday, May 1 2008
Youngstown – Youngstown State women's basketball Head Coach Cindy Martin announced on Thursday the completion of her coaching staff with the appointment of assistant coaches Jen Duhnke and Shannon Sword. Duhnke follows Martin to YSU from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and Sword spent the last two seasons at Ashland University.

Duhnke (pronounced DUNK) spent the 2007-08 season as the top assistant at IUP, where she had responsibilities in the areas of recruiting, academic monitoring, on-floor coaching, scouting and team travel. She also spent the 2004-05 season at IUP as a graduate assistant.

"Jen was a huge part of the outstanding season we had at IUP last year and is the most dedicated assistant coach that I have worked with,” Martin said. “She has a passion and love for women's basketball that is second to no one.
“Jen is familiar with my coaching style and that will prove to be a huge benefit for our staff and the ladies. Jen will coordinate our team academics, strength and conditioning program, and direct our summer high school team camp. Jen will make an immediate impact here at YSU."

Prior to returning to IUP, Duhnke served as athletics director at Brookville Junior/Senior High School for one year. At Brookville, she directed all interscholastic athletic events for 18 sports, including game and transportation scheduling, hiring officials and overseeing athletic facilities. She also managed a budget of more than $200,000 and supervised more than 500 student-athletes and 100 coaches.

"I consider it a privilege to have worked with Coach Martin at IUP and am excited to join her new staff at YSU," Duhnke said. "I believe in Coach Martin's Three C's philosophy: Classroom, Community, and Court.
"Coach Martin is very organized, disciplined, is a true teacher of the game, and has a great ability to bring the best out of her players and coaching staff. I am ecstatic to further my coaching career at Youngstown State University."
Duhnke spent the 2005-06 season as an athletic department intern at Saint Francis (Pa.). Her responsibilities with the Red Flash included daily departmental operations and procedures, monitoring continuing eligibility and game-day management and promotional activities.

Duhnke earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Clarion in 2003 and a master's degree in sports management from IUP in 2006. She was a four-year letterwinner at Clarion, serving as co-captain her senior year when she averaged 4.2 assists to rank seventh in the PSAC. Her 112 assists that year is the 12th highest single-season mark in school history.

After graduating from Clarion, Duhnke was a facility and stadium operations intern at Heinz Field while also volunteering as girl's varsity basketball coach at Redbank Valley High School.

Sword joins the YSU staff after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Ashland for two seasons. With the Eagles, Sword was responsible for on-floor coaching, film exchange and day-to-day operations of the program. the program.

"Shannon was extremely aggressive during the interview process with me,” Martin said. “She has a tremendous work ethic and knowledge of the game, especially working with post players.
"Shannon has numerous Ohio connections and has been involved with every aspect of coaching a successful women’s basketball program in her four years of experience."

“Shannon has four years of Horizon League experience as a student-athlete that will make her a natural fit to handle our team travel, in addition to organizing our team community service and directing our summer day camp."

Prior to Ashland, Sword spent a season as the top assistant coach at Manhattanville College, where she worked with the post players and helped organize and conduct team practices.

Sword has also been the head coach of the Dayton Lady Hoopsters, a 15-and-under AAU team and an assistant at Miamisburg High School. In her lone season at Miamisburg the squad went 23-1 and ranked fourth in the final state poll.

A native of Miamisburg, Ohio, Sword had a prolific playing career at Cleveland State University where she was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter.

"Both Coach Martin's passion for basketball and her vision for the YSU women's basketball program have excited me from the moment I first spoke with her about this great opportunity," Sword said. "I am also excited about the opportunity to stay in Ohio and return to the Horizon League, as I feel it is a great league with a lot to offer its players and coaches.

"I am eager to begin working with Coach Martin, an excellent coach with a very successful background, and I know we will work hard to bring the winning tradition back to YSU. I am also looking forward to working with the great group of ladies on this team as we prepare for the upcoming season."

A First-Team All-Horizon League pick in 2003-04, she was the team captain and most valuable player her senior year. Sword is CSU's all-time leader in career three-point percentage (.380), and ranks second in career free-throw percentage (.802), tied for sixth in games played (113), 12th in scoring (1,136) and 13th in rebounding (523).

Sword is also the all-time leading scorer in Miamisburg High School history.

Sword graduated magna cum laude from Cleveland State in 2004 with a degree in sport management. She was on the Horizon League All-Academic Team for four years and was a four-time CSU Athletic Academic Excellence award winner.

Sword is expected to graduate with her master's degree in sport education from Ashland in May 2008.

Martin Names Arizona’s Bernard Scott Top Assistant Coach
Wednesday, April 16 2008
Youngstown – Head Coach Cindy Martin announced today (April 16) the appointment of Bernard Scott as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on the Youngstown State women’s basketball staff for the 2008-09 season.

Scott comes to YSU after spending the 2007-08 campaign at the University of Arizona and six years as an assistant coach in Ohio.

Martin said Scott’s overall experience will benefit the women’s basketball program significantly.

“I feel very fortunate to be adding Bernard to our coaching staff,” Martin said. “He will be a great asset, not only in recruiting, but on the floor and in the Youngstown community.

“He’s an extremely experienced recruiter who has a lot of Ohio ties.”

Scott added that he is eager to join Martin’s staff and return the Penguins to their championship level of play.

“I’m very excited not only to be joining the YSU basketball family, but to be working with Coach Martin,” Scott said. “I’m looking forward to helping her bring back the winning tradition at YSU.”

“This is a great opportunity to be working with a quality person and coach in Coach Martin and to get back to Ohio, where I have a number of contacts and have been successful recruiting.”

Before joining the Wildcat’s staff, Scott spent two seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Dayton. For the Flyers, he was responsible recruiting, scouting, practice planning, scheduling and summer camps.

Prior to his tenure at Dayton, Scott served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Toledo from 2001-05. Scott started out as the third assistant for the Rockets and served as the second assistant coach his last two seasons with the team. Scott played an integral role in player development, recruiting, scouting, as well as all other facets of the program.

He helped guide the Rockets to the 2003 Mid-American Conference regular-season championship and a berth in the 2003 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). Six of his players earned All-Mid-American Conference honors while at Toledo.

Scott graduated from Toledo in 2001 with a degree in Physical Education and Recreation, and played point guard for the Rockets from 1997-99. In 2005, he earned a master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Toledo.

Scott and his wife, Colleen, are proud parents of their daughter Lily.

Cindy Martin Named Youngstown State Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Saturday, April 12 2008
Youngstown, Ohio – Youngstown State University President Dr. David C. Sweet announced on Friday, April 11, the appointment of Cindy Martin as the Penguins’ fifth women’s basketball head coach in school history.

Martin, who resurrected programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and West Virginia University, was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) 2007-08 Division II East Region Coach of the Year after posting a 27-5 record. She accumulated an overall record of 70-23 and a .753 winning percentage in three seasons at IUP and helped West Virginia to two postseason berths as the Mountaineers’ recruiting coordinator.

YSU Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo said Martin’s on-court credentials are impressive and her commitment to student-athletes is impeccable.

“Cindy Martin embodies all of the essential characteristics and qualities that we were looking for in our next women’s basketball head coach,” Strollo said. “Not only does she bring a successful history as a head coach and proven track record of Division I recruiting experience, she has been an integral part of restoring and rebuilding two women’s basketball programs.

“Coach Martin has also displayed a commitment to the shaping of the whole student-athlete from on-court successes to community service and academic excellence.”

Martin said she is grateful for the opportunity to lead the Penguins’ program and enthusiastically accepts the challenges ahead.

“I am honored to be the new head coach at Youngstown State University,” Martin said. “I am excited to rebuild this program with old fashion hard work and effort.

Martin is also anxious to get started at Youngstown State.

“There is a lot of work to be done this spring so that we get off to a great start next fall,” Martin added. “The first thing I want to do is get to know the ladies who are currently on the team.

"With six seniors and four juniors next season, it is very important that our coaching staff works with the student-athletes that have already committed to this program."

In 2007-08, IUP won a school-best 27 games claiming its second consecutive PSAC championship. The Crimson Hawks spent the entire season ranked in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA top 25 poll and climbed as high as fifth. IUP also finished the year ranked first in the East Region.

During the 2006-07 season, Martin was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year after leading IUP to a mark of 24-9 and won its first PSAC West championship since 1988. The Crimson Hawks also earned the No. 3 seed in the East Region Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16.

Martin guided IUP to a 19-9 mark during her inaugural season in 2005-06 and finished second in the PSAC West with an 8-4 division record after being picked to finish fifth in the preseason coach's poll. The 19 wins marked a nine-and-a-half game improvement from a 9-18 campaign in 2004-05, which is the seventh-highest increase in the history of Division II women’s basketball.

Prior to IUP, Martin spent four years (2001-05) as the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Big East member West Virginia. Her efforts helped lead the Mountaineers’ program back to respectability, culminating in consecutive 21-win seasons during her final two years and a pair of postseason appearances.

In 2003-04, the Mountaineers received an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 13 seasons. In March 2005, the team advanced to the championship game of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament.

Martin helped assemble three-straight top 20 recruiting classes according to the All-Star Girls Report, including the class of 2003 which ranked fourth nationally.

Among the players Martin recruited to West Virginia were Meg Bulger, the 2004 Big East Freshman of the Year, and Yolanda Paige, a second-round selection by the Indiana Fever in the 2005 WNBA draft.

In 2003, Martin recruited 6-foot-5 center Yelena Leuchanka, the top-ranked junior college player in the nation by the All-Star Girls Report. Leuchanka is currently playing professionally overseas and spent the 2006 WNBA season playing for the Charlotte Sting.

Prior to joining the West Virginia staff, Martin was an assistant coach in the junior college ranks in Florida, including one season each at Santa Fe (1999-00) and Seminole (2000-01). Her Seminole squad posted an overall record of 24-6 and went 8-0 in the Mid-Florida Conference.

In the summer of 2001, Martin was chosen as head coach of Team Florida USA, an academically selected high school unit which toured Europe. That team went 14-2 and captured the Delfin Cup in Tampere, Finland.

Martin also has experience at the high school level, serving as head junior varsity coach and varsity assistant at PK Yonge High School in Gainesville, Fla., in 1998-99.

Martin also enjoyed a stellar college playing career at the junior college and NCAA Division I levels. She spent two seasons at Flagler (Fla.) College where she was an all-conference and all-region point guard, averaging 17 points and 5.4 assists from 1995-97.

She transferred to the University of Florida, where she was a member of the Gators Sweet 16 team in 1997-98.

Martin is a 1999 graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport sciences from the College of Health and Human Performance. She is a native of Jacksonville, Fla., where her family currently resides.

YSU tabs Martin as next women’s coach
Friday, April 11 2008
She went 70-23 at Indiana (Pa.) the last three seasons.

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State will name its new women’s basketball coach today.

YSU athletic director Ron Strollo is expected to introduce Cathy Martin today at 3 p.m. at a press conference in the Coaches’ Court at Beeghly Center.

Martin has been head coach at Indiana (Pa.) for the last three seasons, compiling a 70-23 record. Her winning percentage of .753 is the best in school history.

This season the Crimson Hawks finished 27-5 and won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship for the second consecutive year.

IUP was ranked as high as fifth in the USA Today/ESPN Women’s Basketball Coaches Association national poll, and Martin was named East Region coach of the year by the WBCA.

The Crimson Hawks defeated California (Pa.) in two of three games, including the PSAC tournament championship game, 67-63. California eventually advanced to the round of eight in the NCAA Division II tournament.

IUP lost to Mount Olive (N.C.) in the first round of the NCAA East Regional.

In 2006-07, Martin led the Crimson Hawks to the program’s first conference championship since 1988 and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. IUP finished with a 24-9 record.

In 2005-06, IUP finished 19-9 and finished in second place in the PSAC West.

Prior to Indiana (Pa.), Martin was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for four seasons at West Virginia. In 2003-04, the Mountaineers qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time in 13 seasons, and the following year they advanced to the Women’s NIT.

Martin helped assemble three straight recruiting classes that were ranked in the top 20 in the nation according to the All-Star Girls Report. The 2003 class was judged the country’s fourth best.

Martin began her college coaching career in 1999 at Sante Fe (Fla.) Junior College, and in 2000 she moved to Seminole (Fla.) Junior College, helping that team to a 24-6 record.

In the summer of 2001 Martin coached Team Florida USA, an academically selected high school team which toured Europe.

She also coached one year as junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant at PK Yonge High School in Gainesville, Fla.

A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Martin began her playing career at Flagler (Fla.) University, where she was an all-conference guard, averaging 17 points and 5.4 assists per game from 1995-97.

She then transferred to the University of Florida where she was a member of the Gators’ team in 1997-98 that reached the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16.

Martin is a 1999 graduate of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science.

She was selected from a field of 62 candidates, following the resignation of Tisha Hill March 7.

Scott Named Women's Basketball Most Valuable Player, Seniors Honored at Banquet
Monday, March 31 2008
Youngstown -- Junior Tiara Scott was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2007-08 Youngstown State women's basketball team and seniors Lauren Branson, Heather Karner, Kira Mowen and Jessica Schloemp were honored Sunday at the annual women's basketball awards banquet at Cassese's Mahoning Valley Restaurant.

Scott, a junior-college transfer, was named to the All-Horizon League Second-Team and All-Newcomer Team after averaging 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Scott also led the Guins in scoring with 15 points per game against Horizon League opponents.

Scott also led the Penguins with a .545 field-goal percentage, which ranks seventh on the YSU single-season chart.

Branson, a Horizon League All-Defensive Team selection in 2007-08, was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year and led the team with 55 steals and 167 assists.

Junior Velissa Vaughn earned the Most Improved Player Award after starting 15 of the last 16 games and ranking third on the team with 7.9 points per game overall and 11.4 points per game against Horizon League foes.

Karner, the team's leading scorer with 14 points per game, garnered the Dedication Award. Karner spent countless hours in the gym before and after practice to work on her shooting. She set a school record with 87 3-pointers in 2007-08 and ranks sixth all-time with 139 career 3-pointers.

Mowen, who played in 17 games, earned the Spirit Award.

Schloemp picked up the Penguin Hustle Award after leading the team and ranking second in the Horizon League with 7.2 rebounds per game. Schloemp also finished her career with 618 rebounds, which rank 10th on the all-time list.

Four Score Double Figures But Penguins Fall to Wright State in Quarterfinals
Wednesday, March 12 2008
Dayton, Ohio -- Junior Tiara Scott led four players scoring in double figures with 18 points and 10 rebounds but the Youngstown State women's basketball shot just 35.2 percent from the field and dropped a 69-60 decision to Wright State in the Horizon League Quarterfinals on Wednesday evening at the Nutter Center.

The Penguins season ends with a record of 14-17 while Wright State improves to 15-15 and advances to the Horizon League Semifinals.

Senior Heather Karner scored 15 points and pushed her single-season 3-point mark to 87 while junior Toni Roscoe scored a career-high 11 points. Senior Lauren Branson added 10 points with five rebounds and six assists.

The Guins led 8-5 early in the contest but the Raiders used an 18-5 run to take a 23-13 lead with 8:13 remaining in the first half.

The Raiders extended their lead to as many as 16 points, 49-33, at the 12:38 mark after a 3-pointer by Shey Peddy, who scored a game-high 26 points.

The Guins cut the deficit to eight points, 56-48, on Karner's fourth 3-pointer but the Guins would not get any closer.

Karner Sets YSU Single-Season 3-Point Mark in 65-54 Win over Detroit
Tuesday, March 11 2008
Youngstown -- Senior Heather Karner set the Youngstown State single-season 3-pointer record after hitting five and leading the No. 7 YSU women's basketball team with 18 points en route to a 65-54 win over No. 10 Detroit on Monday evening at the Beeghly Center.

Karner, who has made 83 3-pointers this season, also grabbed five rebounds and dished out two assists to pace the Penguins (14-16) to their first Horizon League Tournament victory. Junior Tiara Scott also reached double figures with 11 points.

After Detroit (6-24) cut the Penguins second-half lead down to one, 30-29, junior Toni Roscoe drained a 3-pointer to cushion the Guins lead to four, 33-29, at the 18 minute mark.

Over the next eight minutes, the Penguins extended its lead to 10 points, 45-35, after Karner hit a 3-point at the 10:08 mark.

Detroit went on a 15-8 run over the next six minutes to cut the deficit to three, 53-50, with 4:08 remaining.

A jumper by Ashley Pendleton and a three-point by Jessica Schloemp pushed the Penguins lead by to seven, 57-50, at the 3:24 mark.

Detroit would not get any closer than six points, 58-52, the rest of the way.

In the first half, the Guins shot just 31 percent from the field but were helped by Karner’s three 3-pointers and Tiara Scott’s nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and three free throws.

Karner tied the single-season 3-point mark with the first basket of the game, which gave the Penguins a 3-0 lead. She broke the mark with her second triple of the evening and cut a five-point deficit to two, 12-10, at the 10:37 mark.

Karner’s third trey of the half gave the Guins a one-point lead, 13-12, at the 9:51 mark but the teams battled through four ties and two more lead changes over the next five minutes.

With the game knotted at 20-20, Scott made two free throws and then converted a three-point play to push the Guins ahead by five, 25-20, with 3:28 left.

A three-pointer by Detroit’s Gabby Hungerford trimmed the YSU edge to two, 26-24, with just under a minute remaining, but Jessica Schloemp’s two free throws with 30 seconds left ended the scoring and gave the Guins a 28-24 halftime lead.

The Penguins take on No. 2 Wright State, Wednesday, March 12. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the Nutter Center.