DETROIT (11/10/2017) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's basketball program and head coach
Bernard Scott has officially announced the signing of four new Titans, who all signed their National Letters of Intent this week.
Paige Bellman (Columbus Grove, Ohio / Columbus Grove),
Jess Bicknell (Saginaw, Mich. / Heritage),
Alex Burr (Topeka, Ind. / Westview) and
Sophia DiMilia (New Boston, Mich. / Huron) all inked their NLI's with the Titans.
"This is an exciting day for our Titan family!" coach Scott said. "We are adding four quality basketball players to our program. Not only are these young ladies winners, but they are outstanding people. My staff and I had the opportunity to really focus in on this class and I believe we are signing the four best players for our program. I can't wait to get them here."
Paige Bellman
Position: Foward
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Columbus Grove, Ohio
Bellman is a four-year letter-winner in both volleyball and basketball at Columbus Grove High School. She was a Putnam County League and Northwest Conference First Team played as a sophomore before earning PCL/NWC Player of the Year accolades after her junior season in basketball. Bellman was the Northwest Ohio Co-Played of the Year and was named to the All-Ohio First Team as a junior. In volleyball, Bellman was All-Ohio Honorable Mention as a senior. She averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three blocks in her junior season and had the top shooting percentage in Ohio during the 2016-17 at 65.8 percent. Her game highs are 30 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocks. Bellman played club basketball with Dayton Lady Hoopstars.
Coach Scott on Bellman:Â "Paige is a put on your hard hat and go to work type of player. She's going to do all the little things that will help our team be successful. She's capable of knocking down the three but she's also able to score around the rim. She has a very high IQ and she's a great passer at the power forward position. She's also a very good defender and rebounder."
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Jess Bicknell
Position: Guard
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
Bicknell is a four-year letter-winner in basketball and softball at Saginaw Heritage High School. She was First Team All-Saginaw Valley League as a junior as well as All-SVL in softball for the Hawks. She helped lead her team to three-straight district titles entering her senior season as well as a softball district championship. She has a 13.4 points per game average entering her senior season with game highs of 23 points and nine assists. Bicknell played club basketbal with the Michigan Storm and fellow Titan
Lexey Tobel. Bicknell's mother played college basketball at Eastern Arizona.
Coach Scott on Bicknell: "Jess is a smooth lefty guard that can score in transition or in the half court. She has great body control when attacking the rim and she's a great athlete. She's very versatile and does a good job of playing with or without the basketball. I'm expecting Jess to come in and make an immediate impact on our program."
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Alex Burr
Position: Forward
Height: 6-1
Hometown: Topeka, Ind.
Burr is a four-year letter-winner for Westview Junior-Senior High School, also lettering in volleyball for the Warriors. She was a KPC News All-Area selection as a junior in basketball. Burr was named the Most Improved in volleyball as a junior and Honorable Mention All-Conference for the Warriors during her senior season. She played four years of club basketball with the Indianapolis Lady Gymrats.
Coach Scott on Burr: "Alex is a skilled lefty post player that can score inside and outside. She has great leadership skills and a great work ethic. In losing Bri Cohen after this season we were looking for a post with a really good skill set who would not be outworked and I am pleased to say that we found that in Alex Burr."
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Sophia DiMilia
Position: Guard
Height: 5-11
Hometown: New Boston, Mich.
DiMilia is a four-year letter-winner for Huron High School and two-time First Team All-Huron League, two-time First Team All-Region and two-time News-Herald Downriver Dream Team selection entering her senior season. She's also a two-time captain for the Chiefs. DiMilia averages 14 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, three steals and two assists per game entering her senior year and posted a triple-double game of 32 points, 11 blocks and 10 rebounds. She has played club basketball with Toledo Elite (2014-15) and Factory Basketball (2015-17).Â
Coach Scott on DiMilia: "Sophia is a tall wing player that can shoot the three and score off the bounce. She has a great basketball IQ! She's very skilled and can affect the game with her scoring and passing ability. We like to shoot the three and she's a player that can knock down three's consistently."
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