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Women's Basketball Signs Kickapoo's Jessica Pickett and MSU-West Plains Transfer Lacey Luttrull
May 8, 2009
Contact: Ed Beach, Evangel University Athletics, (417) 865-2815, ext. 7417
Springfield, Mo. — The Evangel University women’s basketball program announces the signing of Jessica Pickett from Kickapoo High School in Springfield and Missouri State-West Plains transfer Lacey Luttrull.
Pickett, a 5-8 shooting guard, averaged 6.5 points for Kickapoo last season. In 25 games, she shot 40.7% from three-point range and 72.2% from the free throw line for a Lady Chiefs team that was ranked #2 in Class 5 in Missouri at the end of the regular season. Pickett was an honorable mention All-Ozark Conference selection last season and on the conference’s all-academic team.
“Jessica gives us a strong defensive player coming out of a very good high school program,” said Lady Crusaders head coach Leon Neal. “We will look for her to become a consistent shooter once she makes the transition to the college level.”
Luttrell played volleyball at the junior college level in 2007 for MSU-West Plains. The 6-0 forward was a standout in volleyball and basketball at L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, Texas prior to her stint at MSU-WP. Luttrell averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds in her senior high school season. Luttrell was a 1st Team All-District selection her senior season and was 2nd Team All-District in her junior and sophomore seasons in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. She was inducted into her school’s athletic Hall of Fame and was Athlete of the Year at her school in her senior year.
“Lacey is an athletic slasher at small forward,” said Neal. “The athleticism and size she brings to her position will help her be effective.”
Evangel has now signed four new players for the upcoming season: Jayme Chapman (5-10, F, Jefferson City), Jessica Rumfelt (6-0, F, Bolivar), Jessica Pickett (5-8, G, Springfield – Kickapoo H.S.), and Lacey Luttrull (6-0, F, Hurst, Texas / Missouri St.-West Plains).