Weber State University Athletics
Photo by: Weber State Athletics
Ord Adds Four Recruits on Signing Day
11/8/2017 5:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OGDEN, UT – Weber State University women's basketball head coach Bethann Ord announced Wednesday the signing of Ciara James (Clackamas, Ore.), Kori Pentzer (Melba, Idaho), Cyliest Smith (Mansfield, Texas), and Ashley Thoms (Lafayette, Calif.) to national letters of intent to attend Weber State in the fall of 2018.
"Any time you can bring in a group of kids that have a high passion for basketball and are high character kids with great work ethic, it is the recipe for a great class. This class will be a great addition to the returning players we have for the 2018-19 season. They are all extremely excited to be Wildcats and that energy will continue to lift us to new heights."
Ciara James
6-2 • Forward • Clackamas, Ore. (Clackamas H.S.)
About James:
Ciara is the daughter of Roy and Debra James. She plays high school basketball for Clackamas High School and Coach Korey Landolt and played AAU basketball for Coach Angie Sun and the NW Stars. For the 2016-17 season, Ciara was honored as a First Team Mt. Hood All-Conference selection and averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per contest. Ciara joins a long list of current and former Wildcats hailing from the Portland and Pacific Northwest area. She plans on majoring in athletic therapy.
Ord on James:
"Ciara is an athletic forward who will bring us size and great potential on the inside with the desire she has to grow and develop. She has the ability to affect the game with her presence inside and uses her length to rebound and contest shots around the rim. She is a great kid and I am excited to work with her and have her join us."
Kori Pentzer
5-9 • Guard • Melba, Idaho (Melba H.S.)
About Pentzer:
Kori is the daughter of Rob and Kristi Pentzer. She plays high school basketball for Melba High School and Coach David Lenz and played AAU basketball for Coach Stu Sells and the Idaho Flash. For the 2016-17 season, Kori was selected as the Idaho Press Tribune Player of the Year, 2A State Player of the Year, and averaged 23.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 steals, and 3.3 assists per contest. She will join current sophomore, Dominique Williams, who is from the Boise, Idaho area. She plans on majoring in kinesiology or physical therapy.
Ord on Pentzer:
"Kori will help us with her length on the perimeter and her ability to play multiple guard positions. She has multiple dimensions to her game, whether it be attacking the rim or shooting outside. Kori is another standup kid who will bring consistency to our program on and off the floor."
Cyliest Smith
5-6 • Guard • Mansfield, Texas (Mansfield Legacy H.S.)
About Smith:
Cyliest is the daughter of DeShawn Jenkins and Carita Smith. She plays high school basketball for Mansfield Legacy High School and Coach Michelle Morris and played AAU basketball for Coach Anthony Grant and DFW Elite. Cyliest has been honored as a two-year Academic All-District selection and was named to the Honorable Mention All-District Team, posting averages of 8.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals during the 2016-17 season. She will join current freshman Shianne Johnson who is also from Texas. Cyliest plans on majoring in psychology.
Ord on Smith:
"Cyliest is a combo guard who has the ability to play point guard and off the ball. She has a great feel for the game and brings a competitiveness and energy to the floor that will help her become a great future leader."
Ashley Thoms
5-7 • Guard • Lafayette, Calif. (Campolindo H.S.)
About Thoms:
Ashley is the daughter of Art and Cissy Thoms. She plays high school basketball for Campolindo High School and AAU basketball for the Lafayette Lightning, both coached by her father Art. Ashley is a three-time All-League selection, three-time All-State nominee, a Bay Area Top 75 Athlete, All-Bay Area selection, Rivals Top 40 Bay Area Player, and Division III All-State selection. She posted averages of 16.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 3.2 steals per game during the 2016-17 season. Ashley plans on majoring in business.
Ord on Thoms:
"Ashley has the ability to space the floor and stretch the defense with her long range shooting. She is a coaches' kid who comes from a very athletic family, knowing what it takes to compete for championships. Her toughness and desire to win will be fun to add to our existing group."
"Any time you can bring in a group of kids that have a high passion for basketball and are high character kids with great work ethic, it is the recipe for a great class. This class will be a great addition to the returning players we have for the 2018-19 season. They are all extremely excited to be Wildcats and that energy will continue to lift us to new heights."
Ciara James
6-2 • Forward • Clackamas, Ore. (Clackamas H.S.)
About James:
Ciara is the daughter of Roy and Debra James. She plays high school basketball for Clackamas High School and Coach Korey Landolt and played AAU basketball for Coach Angie Sun and the NW Stars. For the 2016-17 season, Ciara was honored as a First Team Mt. Hood All-Conference selection and averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per contest. Ciara joins a long list of current and former Wildcats hailing from the Portland and Pacific Northwest area. She plans on majoring in athletic therapy.
Ord on James:
"Ciara is an athletic forward who will bring us size and great potential on the inside with the desire she has to grow and develop. She has the ability to affect the game with her presence inside and uses her length to rebound and contest shots around the rim. She is a great kid and I am excited to work with her and have her join us."
Kori Pentzer
5-9 • Guard • Melba, Idaho (Melba H.S.)
About Pentzer:
Kori is the daughter of Rob and Kristi Pentzer. She plays high school basketball for Melba High School and Coach David Lenz and played AAU basketball for Coach Stu Sells and the Idaho Flash. For the 2016-17 season, Kori was selected as the Idaho Press Tribune Player of the Year, 2A State Player of the Year, and averaged 23.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 steals, and 3.3 assists per contest. She will join current sophomore, Dominique Williams, who is from the Boise, Idaho area. She plans on majoring in kinesiology or physical therapy.
Ord on Pentzer:
"Kori will help us with her length on the perimeter and her ability to play multiple guard positions. She has multiple dimensions to her game, whether it be attacking the rim or shooting outside. Kori is another standup kid who will bring consistency to our program on and off the floor."
Cyliest Smith
5-6 • Guard • Mansfield, Texas (Mansfield Legacy H.S.)
About Smith:
Cyliest is the daughter of DeShawn Jenkins and Carita Smith. She plays high school basketball for Mansfield Legacy High School and Coach Michelle Morris and played AAU basketball for Coach Anthony Grant and DFW Elite. Cyliest has been honored as a two-year Academic All-District selection and was named to the Honorable Mention All-District Team, posting averages of 8.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals during the 2016-17 season. She will join current freshman Shianne Johnson who is also from Texas. Cyliest plans on majoring in psychology.
Ord on Smith:
"Cyliest is a combo guard who has the ability to play point guard and off the ball. She has a great feel for the game and brings a competitiveness and energy to the floor that will help her become a great future leader."
Ashley Thoms
5-7 • Guard • Lafayette, Calif. (Campolindo H.S.)
About Thoms:
Ashley is the daughter of Art and Cissy Thoms. She plays high school basketball for Campolindo High School and AAU basketball for the Lafayette Lightning, both coached by her father Art. Ashley is a three-time All-League selection, three-time All-State nominee, a Bay Area Top 75 Athlete, All-Bay Area selection, Rivals Top 40 Bay Area Player, and Division III All-State selection. She posted averages of 16.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 3.2 steals per game during the 2016-17 season. Ashley plans on majoring in business.
Ord on Thoms:
"Ashley has the ability to space the floor and stretch the defense with her long range shooting. She is a coaches' kid who comes from a very athletic family, knowing what it takes to compete for championships. Her toughness and desire to win will be fun to add to our existing group."
Players Mentioned
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