Dec. 7, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara women's basketball head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson announced the signing of a duo of talented student-athletes to national letters of intent today. The two players who will join the Broncos for the 2008-09 season are Victoria Lokhorst and Alyssa Shoji.
"We are very excited about the addition of both Alyssa and Victoria," said Bento-Jackson. "There were certain things that we were looking for in this class and we feel that we accomplished just that in these two young ladies. They are both solid individuals who understand the importance of education and hard work. There is no question that they both will represent our program and our university in a first class manner."
Lokhorst, a 6-2 center from Huntington Beach, Calif., will join the Broncos after three years of varsity play at Edison High School. She was voted Most Improved in her freshman season and has received all-tournament honors with both Edison and her club team, Cal Swish. Last season, Edison compiled a 17-9 overall record and finished in second place in the Sunset League with an 8-2 mark. The Chargers reached the third round of the CIF Championships. As a junior, Lokhorst averaged 6.0 rebounds per game and 5.7 points per game.
"Victoria is a competitor with a strong work ethic," said Bento-Jackson. "She runs the court extremely well, she's athletic and she will provide a physical presence for us on the interior. She is very coachable and has not come close to reaching her potential. Victoria is the type of player who is going to elevate everyone around her with her energy and high level of intensity. We look forward to Victoria being in a Bronco uniform."
Shoji, a 5-6 point guard from Issaquah, Wash., was a four-year letterwinner at Issaquah High School. She helped her team the three consecutive KingCo 3A championships and three top-five finishes in the State Championships. As a junior, Shoji averaged 15.0 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. She received first team all-league honors and All-3A state tournament accolades, and was also named a Seattle Times Player of the Week. As a sophomore, Shoji earned second team all-league honors and named a King County Player of the Week.
"Alyssa has the abilities at the point guard position to come in and be a contributor right away," said Bento-Jackson. "She has good court sense along with a balance to her game that will fit in very well with our style of play. She understands that hard work is necessary to achieve success and is very eager to become the best player that she can become. Alyssa is a well grounded young lady who takes great pride in everything that she does."