Published: November 11, 2009 11:54 pm         

ISU men's, women's hoops teams add talent on signing day

TERRE HAUTE — The Indiana State basketball programs combined to secure six signed commitments on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday.

Men’s coach Kevin McKenna received national lettters-of-intent from 6-foot-2 guard Steve McWhorter and 6-8, 250-pound Myles Walker. ISU also has a verbal commitment from 6-8 Jake Kitchell of northern Indiana. The early signing period continues through Nov. 18.

And, with a commitment Sunday from 6-foot-2 Sadie Oyer of Huntsville, Ohio, ISU women’s coach Jim Wiedie hopes to have strengthened an already highly thought of 2010 recruiting class. Decatur Central standout Anna Munn is rated as the No.2 recruit in the state of Indiana by ESPN HoopGurlz rankings.

“Munn’s a special player. She’s a 5-10 guard, a big guard that can really shoot the 3-pointer. She can also create off the dribble,” Wiedie said.

McKenna said he has two players that should make big impacts.

“[McWhorter] is a very quick, aggressive point guard whose strengths are passing, ability to penetrate and defense,” McKenna said. “He continues to improve as a shooter and he has experience playing for a quality championship-caliber program. He had a great summer and is working hard this fall as well. He will fill a need for us with the graduation of Harry Marshall and Rashad Reed next season. We feel very strong about the abilities he is going to be able to bring right away into the program.” j

As for Walker, a bruising junior college prospect from Texas, McKenna said the Sycamores have filled a need with an athletic big man who was an all-state linebacker in high school.

“He plays the game with a physical presence especially on defense,” McKenna said. “Myles is an extremely athletic player who can score around the basket. His physical presence was one of the things that attracted us to Myles because that is something that I feel we need to improve on.”

The ISU women’s newest recruit, Oyer, will join three guards as freshmen next fall. Oyer averaged 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.8 blocks while dealing with a knee injury as a junior. She’s a four-year starter, and she said the Sycamores first showed interest during her sophomore year.

“She’s a power player, primarily a back-to-the-basket type post player,” Wiedie said. “Sadie brings a toughness. She’s muscular, she’s broad. She makes Andrea [Rademacher] look small. That adds a whole new dimension to the team. Those four freshmen, and [Rademacher] really makes it a strong class.”

Oyer told the Tribune-Star on Wednesday that she chose ISU over Penn, Brown University and Southeast Missouri State.

“The girls are easy to get along with, and the coaches are people that know when to have fun and know when it’s time to get to work and I like that,” Oyer said.

Munn, a 5-10 guard, averaged 16.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season for Decatur Central, a Class 4A school on the south side of Indianapolis. Munn was a first-team Indiana Basketball Coaches Association first-team Underclass All-State selection, and All-Marion County first team.

While ESPN HoopGurlz ranks Munn as the 30th ranked small forward in the nation, Wiedie said she could play several roles on the Sycamores.

“She’ll be a kid that plays shooting guard, big guard and maybe small post,” Wiedie said. “Reminds me a lot of [Chelsea] Buher, her mannerisms and how she plays, but she’s stronger and probably a little faster.”

Nikki Gunning of Howell, Mich., is “more of a shooting guard,” Wiedie said. Gunning was a first-team All-West Detroit Metro selection by the Detroit News.

Gunning knocked down 33 3-pointers in 21 games as a junior.

“Her strength is shooting,” Wiedie said, “but it’s always nice to have a kid that can handle the ball.”

Illyssa Vivo is the Sycamores first recruit from the state of Florida since Wiedie has become head coach.

“Vivo is a point guard first and foremost with speed,” Wiedie said. “Her strength is the transition game. She has the ability to create off the dribble, and is also a good 3-point shooter. She’s a double weapon. Add her into the mix with Taylor [Whitley] and it really increases the athleticism of your backcourt.”