Women’s Basketball Inks Three Standout Players

The Raiders continue reloading for the 2010-11 season by signing three standout offensive players.

Maria Joyce, a four-year starter at Lane Tech, signed her letter of intent on June 2. The 5-11 forward amassed more than 1,300 points with the Indians. Joyce is a transfer from Illinois Central College, where she averaged 5.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

The Raiders also added 5-10 center Megan O’Neill from Maine West. Her senior season, O’Neill was team MVP averaging 14.8 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. With the Warriors, she also was an all-conference, all-area and all-state player.

In addition, the Raiders gain international experience in the form of Paula Elum, a 5-10 guard from Valencia, Spain. Elum averaged 15 points per game playing for Ros Caseres for three seasons. She helped her club team to a first-place finish in the Spanish Zonal Tournament twice and a fourth-place position in the Spanish Championship. Besides playing overseas, Elum has NCCA Division I experience as she transfers to Oakton from the University of Wyoming.

“I’m very excited with the addition of Maria, Megan, and Paula because of their intelligence and rebounding skills,” said Rich Bolinder, women’s head basketball coach. “Not only do they bring height, which we’ve lacked over the last few years, they bring a wealth of experience from their club teams. Last season, we averaged slightly more than 49 points per game. With our newly signed players we will hopefully see that average increase tremendously.”