WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren OhioBoardman's Monica Touvelle Joins Two in Signing NLI's

Boardman's Monica Touvelle Joins Two in Signing NLI's

Youngstown -- Boardman High guard Monica Touvelle, guard Jill Herman and post Heidi Schlegel have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend their academic and basketball careers at Youngstown State University, Penguins head coach Cindy Martin announced.

"We are just thrilled to be signing such quality players, students and people," Martin said. "Monica, Heidi and Jill all have offensive skills, can really shoot the ball and have a great basketball IQ.  They also are all coming to YSU from elite High School and AAU programs, which gives them great insight about what to expect as a collegiate student-athlete. My assistant coaches worked really hard with our 2010 recruits to sign ladies that have already bought in to our team’s philosophy. They will come in and contribute right away to the rebuilding process that has already begun."

Touvelle, a 5-foot-8 shooting guard from Boardman, Ohio, is a 3-point specialist who has nailed 135 treys during her first three seasons for the Spartans. She set Division I Boardman’s school record for 3-pointers in a game as a freshman with nine, and her 55 3-pointers as a sophomore set the single season record. Touvelle averaged 13.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals as a junior to earn second-team All-Federal League honors. Boardman coach Ron Moschella called Touvelle the best 3-point shooter he's seen in 28 years of coaching.

“Monica made a verbal commitment to YSU in December of 2008, and we are just so happy to make this official today," Martin said. "She is deadly from the 3-point line, and our team is going to be able to count on her to hit that game winning shot. She is a local student-athlete, and we are targeting all of the local players that can help our program.”

"I made my decision to play at YSU because I really like the atmosphere here, and I feel the school has a lot to offer in both athletics and academics," Touvelle said. "Also, I am very impressed with Coach Martin and her staff. I’m really excited about playing in my hometown in front of my family and friends."

Schlegel is a 6-foot post from Wapakoneta, Ohio, who helped lead Wapakoneta to the Division II state title game as a junior. She averaged 15 points and nine rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the floor and 77 percent from the free-throw line as a junior for the Redskins. She was even better in the postseason, averaging 16.6 points and 10 rebounds. Schlegel owns the school single-season rebounding record with 244, and her 405 points last season rank as the second-highest in school history. She currently heads the career list in field goal percentage at 55 percent, and her 481 career rebounds rank fourth.

"Heidi is a strong and physical post player that will be able to play with her back to the basket or facing the rim," Martin said. "She is aggressive when it comes to rebounding and setting screens, and she has good timing with the guards on those plays. Heidi has a nice touch and will be able to step out and shoot or put the ball on the floor and drive strong to the basket.”

"I chose YSU because I believe I will receive the best education for my career as a teacher and future basketball coach," Schlegel said. "I believe the coaching staff will push me and make me the best player and person I can be. I believe we can win a championship at YSU with perseverance, hard work and dedication. I am excited for the opportunity to bring that to Youngstown in the next four years!"

Herman, a native of Powell, Tenn., is 5-foot-11 and can play in the post or on the wing. She has already scored 1,000 points in her career and has a chance to break Powell High's all-time scoring record. As a junior she scored 411 points and led the team in rebounding as she earned all-district, all-region and all-district tournament team honors. Herman shot 42.6 percent from 3-point as a sophomore, when she also named all-district and team MVP. Powell made the state quarterfinals in Herman's junior year.

“Jill is a skilled, multi-position player that will be able to cause match-up problems for our opponents," Martin said. "She is extremely smart and is always looking to see what the defense is leaving open and then takes advantage of it since she is such a skilled passer. Jill scores in a variety of ways as she can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or take the jumper. She is also a tremendous 3-point shooter.”

“I chose YSU because it has a great atmosphere, and it is a place I can see myself fitting in and helping to rebuild the program," Herman said. "Not only am I excited about the cold weather, I am also excited about playing with this group of girls and playing for all the coaches.”