Stanford Bags Another Big

On a serious recruiting roll, the Stanford Cardinal struck again - this time earning a commitment from a 6-foot-5 shooter from the state of Maine. Meanwhile, Florida gains a top shooting guard from the state of Tennessee.

PHOTOS BY GLENN NELSON

Ashley Cimino

Kerri Simpson

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Ashley Cimino, a 6-foot-4 shooter out of Portland, Me., told HoopGurlz.com Monday night that she is headed to Stanford.

“I was admitted and I committed a couple of days ago,” said Cimino, who was one of 16 players from around the country to participate in the 2006 Nike Girl's Skills Academy.

Cimino recently participated in the Stanford elite camp and, upon learning she was admitted, wasted no time in giving head coach Tara VanDerveer the good news. Cimino joins forward Kayla Pedersen in the Cardinal’s 2007 recruiting class. Stanford's 2006 signing class was ranked second nationally by HoopGurlz.com for Scout.com.

California wing Jeanette Pohlen also informed HoopGurlz.com that she has been admitted to Stanford. Pohlen, who was also participating at the Skills Academy, now can make her decision between the Cardinal, Arizona State and USC. Pohlen played well at the Skills Academy and would be a contributor at any of those schools.

Simpson Commits

Kerri Simpson, a 5-foot-8 combo guard, has verbally committed to the Florida Gators, according to Tennessee Flight Coach Matt Insell. Simpson forms one of the strongest defensive backcourts in the country for the Flight when paired with Cetera DeGraffenreid, who has committed to North Carolina.

Simpson is a cat-quick guard who plays great on-ball defense. She has very good athleticism and can guard elite level perimeter players. She’s aggressive and can get into the paint as well as knock down open threes.

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Chris Hansen is the National Director of Scouting for Women's Basketball at HoopGurlz.com and Scout.com. Chris leads the panel that evaluates and ranks girl's basketball prospects nationally for HoopGurlz, Scout.com and Full Court Press (www.FullCourt.com). Chris has been involved in the women’s basketball community since 1998 as a coach, trainer, evaluator and reporter. He can be reached at [e-mail].

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Our Complete Nike Skills Coverage Menu:

Magnifient Marah
Marah Strickland has staked her claim as one of the nation's best '07 prospects.

Stanford Bags Another Big
The hot-recruiting Cardinal land a 6-feet-5 shooter.

A Krystal Clear Forward
Krystal Thomas has made it clear that she is an elite 2007 power forward prospect, and not a post.

No More Doubting Thomas
Jasmine Thomas picks up the pieces after not making the USA U18 team.

Opening Salvo
A look at the opening session of the Nike Women's Skills Academy.

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