What once seemed like a promising future now appears to be a time of change and uncertainty for the Long Beach State women’s basketball team.
That’s because LBSU granted a scholarship release this past Monday to freshman guard Brandi Henton, who was named Big West Conference Freshman of the Year, and ranked second on the team in scoring and rebounding this past season.
“It was basically a personal choice, and nothing because of my coaches or my teammates,” Henton said. “I just felt that I was ready to seek other schools. … I don’t know where yet.”
Henton averaged 12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 24 minutes in 31 games, but asked for her release and plans to transfer at the end of the semester to pursue other options.
“I wouldn’t say I’m transferring to give myself a better chance at winning,” Henton said. “But, I would like to experience that, if you know what I mean.”
Should Henton transfer to play basketball for another NCAA Division I program, she will be required to sit out a full academic year under NCAA transfer rules, while retaining her remaining three years of eligibility.
“I was completely caught off-guard,” said LBSU head coach Jody Wynn, who first learned of Henton’s decision two weeks ago. “She won several awards this season, played a lot of minutes for us and did a lot of scoring. … She was a great player for us; she just wanted to play in a bigger-name environment.”
Henton was the first 49er to win the freshman of the year award since Kellie Bennett accomplished the feat in 1991. She also earned an all-conference honorable mention nod to go with a spot on the all-freshman team.
The Modesto, Calif., native also registered six games with 20 or more points this season, including a career-high 30 points against USC on Nov. 21 before she matched that effort against Florida A&M on Dec. 3.
“The coaching staff knows I love them, as well as my teammates — dearly,” Henton said. “[LBSU] will always be with me, and I have no regrets at all.”
The 5-foot-7 guard is the third player to be released from the program since Wynn took over for Mary Hegarty in April 2009. However, it should be mentioned that Whitney Fields was dismissed for a violation of team rules in Dec. 2009, while Janae Coffee quit the team a year later following her second suspension for similar team rules violations.
“You can’t predict everything,” Wynn said. “We recruit players — first and foremost — who want to come here for the education and the family atmosphere we have here at Long Beach State.
“We want our young ladies to have the desire to reach the highest level they can both on and off the court, and each young lady is well aware of our expectations.”
Although Wynn said there’s no definite proof that other schools had previously been in talks with Henton, she said nothing would surprise her.
Henton’s release will free up a scholarship for Wynn, who is currently communicating with several recruits.
“We’re pursuing some girls right now,” Wynn said. “We have a positive outlook on next year and the incoming recruiting class. We’re trying to fulfill all of our needs: kids that can help rebound, score, and run the floor.”
LBSU currently has two committed recruits in Devin Hudson and Bianka Balthazar, who have both signed National Letters of Intent for the 2011-2012 season.
Hudson, who is a long and agile 6-foot-3 forward from Ontario, Calif., is expected to bring the 49ers more strength and stability in the post on both ends of the floor.
Hudson is currently a senior at Colony High School where she guided the Titans to the CIF-SS Division IAA quarterfinals last year. Hudson garnered first-team All-Mt. Baldy League honors and was also named to the All-Valley team after ranking second in scoring (17.4 ppg) and first in the league in rebounding (7.6 rpg).
She is also a three-star prospect, who had previously generated interest from UC Irvine and UNLV, as well as some Pac-10 schools before declaring for LBSU.
Balthazar, a 5-foot-11 guard from Santa Monica, Calif., has the size and ability to play any of the three perimeter positions and is also a three-star recruit.
Balthazar is currently a senior at Santa Monica High School and was orally committed to St. Mary’s College before changing her mind and choosing LBSU.
Prior to moving from Phoenix, Ariz., last year, she led Desert Vista to an appearance in the state quarterfinals. Balthazar is also a three-star recruit and is a physically strong player who has spent time transitioning from a forward to a point guard while playing for her club team Cal Storm Team Taurasi.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.