May 20, 2009

EASTON, Pa. - The Lafayette women's basketball team has announced three players will join the team as members of the Class of 2013. The group consists of two guards and one forward from different states.

"I am very excited to have such a talented group, both academically and athletically, join Lafayette College and our women's basketball program," head coach Tammy Smith said. "They each bring an added dimension to our team and have great basketball IQs, athleticism and are proven winners. This group will definitely have an impact on our program and will help us make perpetual strides to become a champion."

Samantha Jordan (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) played four years as a small forward at Stonewall Jackson and was a 1,000-point scorer for the Raiders. She averaged 11.4 ppg and 6.2 rpg as a senior and finished her career with 1,151 points. The 5-11 Jordan was a three-time Lady Raiders' Defensive Player of the Year as well as a three-time member of the Second-Team Cedar Run All-District Team. She also earned 2007-08 First-Team All-District Fauquier/Culpepper Times honors following a junior season in which she averaged 13.4 ppg and 9.2 rpg.

Jordan was a member of the Virginians AAU squad for four years and her 14-and-under AAU team placed fifth at the Division II nationals.

A National Achievement Scholarship Program finalist and National Honor Society member, Jordan was a four-time member of the Principal's Honor Roll at Stonewall Jackson and participated in student government and the Peer Diversity Club.

Alicia Manning

Alicia Manning (Newtown Square, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) was a three-year varsity starter at Cardinal O'Hara. The 5-10 shooting guard averaged nearly 12 ppg and served as team captain her senior season. She earned Philadelphia All-Catholic League honors as a sophomore and senior, and picked up All-Delaware County honors her junior and senior seasons. Cardinal O'Hara captured the 2008-09 Nike Tournament of Champions title with a win over Bolingbrook (Ill.) that was aided by Manning's 14-point performance.

Manning, who played club basketball with the Comets, was a member of the National Honor Society and a student council representative at Cardinal O'Hara.

Ashley Springer

Finally, Ashley Springer (Columbia, Wis./Deforest) joins the Leopards after a four-year career at Deforest. The 5-8 point guard cemented her role as a starter as a freshman and was a member of three conference champion teams and leaves Deforest as the second all-time leading scorer with 1,114 career points. She averaged 17.5 ppg as a senior to help her Norskies squad to a 12-9 overall record and earned a spot on the all-conference first team for the second straight year.

Springer was a four-time all-conference player, including first-team honors as a junior and senior. She set schools record in rebounds, steals and free throws.

A three-sport athlete all four years at Deforest, Springer also played volleyball and was a member of the track and field team. She earned High Honor status every semester and will graduate with honors. She also participated in student council, student senate and the Spanish Club.

The Leopards are fresh off a year in which they reached to the Patriot League final for the first time in 12 years and became the first No. 7 seed to advance to the championship game.