Head women's basketball coach Greg Adams adds four more student-athletes to his 2010 roster. Six-four center Jennifer Kioa, Mariah Peralta from Cliff High School, 6-1 forward P.J. Bryant, and Aissa Barros from Las Cruces High School will be the newest additions to the women's basketball program.
Kioa, originally from Menlo Park, California, is a transfer from the University of Arizona. Last season with the Wildcats, she competed in eight games, averaging 3.6 points and 2.5 rebounds with a shooting percentage of .565 from the field.
Before attending Arizona, Kioa played junior college basketball at Foothill College. At Foothill College, she was named First Team All-State, 2008-2009 California Co-Player of the Year, and Coast Conference MVP her sophomore season. She led Foothill College to two consecutive Coast Conference championships and two California State Tournaments (Elite 8). During Kioa's sophomore season, she averaged 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 blockers per game.
Kioa established her basketball career at Sequoia High School in California. She was a two-year prep standout. During her junior season, she averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds. Kioa had many accomplishments at Sequoia, including being named the 34th ranked high school prospect in the nation, being nominated for the McDonald's All-American squad, and holding the school records for 46 points and 15 blocked shots in a single game.
“Jennifer gives us a major post presence. At 6-4, her size alone gives us an advantage on the inside. Additionally, her passing ability and mid-range game provides us with a versatile frontcourt performer,” comments Adams. “She fits into our style of play very well.”
Peralta, a guard from nearby Cliff, New Mexico, will bring leadership to the squad next season. At Cliff High School, Peralta led the team to a 30-1 record during her senior season and a district championship. Last month her team played in the New Mexico Class 1A championship game.
In 2010, Peralta was named to the District 5 All-District First Team, New Mexico High School Coaches Association South All-Star Basketball Team, District 1A All-State First Team, and All-Tournament Team at the Cowgirl Invite. This season she averaged 20 points and six rebounds per game. She also received the Heart and Hustle award for her performance on the court.
As a junior, Peralta was named to the District 1A All-State Second Team. She also was placed on the all-tournament teams at the Mountain Top Tournament, Lady Maverick Fiesta, and Cowgirl Invite. In 2008, Peralta was named to the Mountain Top Tournament and Lady Maverick Fiesta All-Tournament teams. Also in 2008, she was named an All-District Honorable Mention selection.
Throughout her four years at Cliff, Peralta maintained an impressive 4.15 GPA while participating in athletics. In 2010, she received the US Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award and placed first in the Regional Science Fair. She is a proud member of the National Honors Society and has continually been placed on the Honor Roll.
“Mariah will bring a tough-minded approach that our team needs. She is a natural leader, and I see her contributing in a lot of ways, both on and off the court,” states Adams. “She will develop into a solid and consistent player over the next few years.”
Another alumnus of Cliff High School, Bryant, is a transfer from Eastern New Mexico University. At Eastern New Mexico, Bryant faced several RMAC schools. Last season she scored 10 points and pulled in three rebounds versus the defending RMAC champions CSU-Pueblo. Overall, she appeared in seven games, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds.
At Cliff, Bryant was a two-year starter. During her senior campaign, she averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds, which ranked her third in the state for each category. Bryant's junior season placed her second in scoring in the state, averaging 14 points per game, as well as pulling in 10 rebounds.
Bryant will enter WNMU as a sophomore.
“PJ gives us another needed inside presence. She brings another experienced player inside. She played several RMAC schools last season and had some success against them,” says Adams. “I am very happy that she chose to come to WNMU.”
At 5-7, Barros comes to WNMU as a two-year starter from Las Cruces High School. Barros helped her team to a 26-3 record. She made a District 3 championship game appearance during her senior season. Her team also advanced to the semifinals of the 5A New Mexico State playoffs. At Las Cruces High School, Barros was known as a defensive specialist. She was second on the team in deflections (52) and averaged 1.1 steals per game.
“Aissa will develop into a solid contributor in many ways over the next four years. I'm excited to have her part of our program,” remarks Adams.
These four players join five returners and four other that signed in November.
