Nov. 10, 1999
Coach McGraw Audio
NOTRE DAME, Ind.– Jeneka Joyce, a 5-9 shooting guard from Topeka, Kan. and Le’Tania Severe, a 5-9 point guard from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., two of the nation’s top high school players, have signed national letters of intent to attend the University of Notre Dame beginning in the fall of 2000. Joyce is rated 26th by Blue Star Basketball, while Severe is listed 40th among the top 80 prep players.
“We are extremely pleased with our recruiting class,” says 13th-year head coach Muffet McGraw. “Both players are ranked in the top 40 by Blue Star Index and this is the first time in my career at Notre Dame that we have been able to sign two high-caliber players ranked in the top 40. Jeneka and Le’Tania will be a great compliment to this team. We filled a lot of our needs, and the addition of these two players gives us considerable quickness, speed and strong outside shooting. They are both great people who will add a lot to our program and this team.”
Joyce, a sixth-team preseason All-America choice by Street & Smith’s, averaged 22.0 points last year as she led her Washburn Rural High School team to a 23-2 record and the 1999 Class 6A state championship. A three-year starter, she has helped Washburn capture two conference championships and compile a 64-8 since 1996.
A two-time first-team all-state selection, Joyce was a USA Today honorable mention all-america choice following her junior season and was the Topeka city player of the year.
Joyce was invited to attend the Reebok/WBCA Premier and Nike camps this summer. In addition, she has played for the Missouri Valley AAU All-Stars for seven years.
“Jeneka is a complete player because she does so many things, “McGraw says. “She shoots the ball well from the outside, is a strong rebounder and has excellent ball-handling skills. Jeneka is a great passer with excellent court vision. I am very excited about her, but what impresses me most about her is the poise she displays on the court under pressure. Jeneka is a real team player and will contribute immediately.”
Severe, who will play her final year at Ft. Lauderdale High School during the 1999-2000 campaign after attending Flannigan her first three seasons. As a junior, she averaged 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists and helped her team finish with a 15-8 record. She also earned preseason honorable mention All-America honors by Street & Smith’s.
“Le’Tania has tremendous speed and quickness and is an exceptional athlete” McGraw says. “Like Jeneka, she is a team-oriented player who will lead the break and help our transition game, she fits in well with our running style. Le’Tania is an outstanding defender. Her defensive skills are something that we are going to need with the loss of guard Danielle Green at the end of this season.”
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