Kent State Women’s Basketball Adds Three on National Signing Day
11/14/2018 4:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio — Head coach Todd Starkey announced that three student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to join the Kent State women's basketball program on Wednesday. Nila Blackford (Louisville, Kentucky), Clare Kelly (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) and Katie Shumate (Dresden, Ohio) all signed on to join the Golden Flashes for the 2019-20 season. Collegiate Girls Basketball Report ranks Shumate (No. 123) and Blackford (No. 199) among the top 200 recruits in the country.
"Our staff did a great job of signing an outstanding recruiting class," Starkey said. "With two top-200 national recruits and an elite shooter, this class will take Kent State women's basketball to the next level. All three players have the ability to be immediate impact players. We expect great things throughout their four years and are proud that they chose to join the Kent State family."
Nila Blackford | 6-2, Wing/Forward
Blackford led Dupont Manual High School to a 22-9 record and the KHSAA Sweet Sixteen a season ago. She posted averages on 13 points and nine rebounds per game as a junior, earning All-Seventh Region First Team, Seventh Region All-Tournament Team and 25th District All-Tournament Team honors. Blackford was selected to the Kentucky Junior All-Stars team that competed against a team of top juniors from Indiana and scored in double-figures in both games of the series.
"Nila is a player who can create mismatches on the offensive end with her ability to drive and finish and also post up," Starkey said. "She has a great deal of untapped potential, and we are excited to see how she continues to develop as she transitions to the college game."
Clare Kelly | 5-8, Guard
Kelly is already a 1,000-point scorer and two-time all-state performer entering her final season at Olmsted Falls High School. She earned All-Ohio Second Team honors as a sophomore in 2017, averaging 19.2 points per game and leading the Bulldogs to a district championship. Kelly earned All-Ohio Third Team recognition last season, averaging 12.3 points per game and helping Olmsted Falls to a second straight district title game, where it lost to a Strongsville team that was led by current Kent State freshman Lindsey Thall.
"Clare is one of the best shooters in the state of Ohio, if not the Midwest," Starkey noted. "She also has the ability to play and defend multiple positions on the perimeter."
Katie Shumate | 5-11, Guard
Shumate has earned All-Ohio honors each of the past two seasons while leading Newark High School to a 54-3 record. As a junior, she averaged 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting nearly 45-percent at the three-point line to earn District 11 Player of the Year honors. Shumate led the Wildcats an undefeated regular and Associated Press poll championship as a sophomore in 2017, as Newark finished with a 28-1 record and state semifinals appearance.
"Katie is one of the most versatile players in the state of Ohio," commented Starkey. "She is a phenomenal rebounder for a perimeter player and a proven winner. Katie will also bring an unparalleled level of toughness to our program."
Kent State opens the home schedule next weekend by hosting the Kent State Classic inside of the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes will play Northern Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. and Oakland on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
