Post by Todd B on Jan 5, 2008 13:23:09 GMT -5
www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080105/SPORTS/224168389
Article published Jan 5, 2008
Local Sports: Bentley signs with Madonna
IDA - Ida's Erin Bentley is Madonna University's first women's basketball recruit for next season.
Bentley, a 5-4 point guard, officially signed with the Lady Crusaders Friday morning at the Ida High School library. She was recruited by Madonna head coach Carl Graves who previously coached at Airport.
"I believe that Erin can come in and challenge for immediate playing time as a freshman," Graves said. "She is a good ball-handler and an outstanding outside shooter which is very important in our style of offense. We couldn't be more pleased to kick off our signings with a student-athlete of Erin's caliber.
The daughter of Brad and Peggy Bentley of Monroe is a three-year starter who earned Monroe County All-Region and Lenawee County Athletic Association all-league honors. She holds the Ida record for season and career 3-pointers.
Bentley is considering majoring in education and wants to become a physical therapist. She said Madonna was one of about four schools she was considering.
"They just have a really good environment," she said. "He (coach Graves) let me come to a practice and they made me feel real welcome there."
Bentley is a four-year member of the honor roll and was 2007 homecoming queen. Her father played football at Northwood University and was the former head coach of the Southern Michigan Timberwolves.
This is Graves' fifth recruit from the Monroe County and Downriver area since taking over the Madonna program two years ago.
"We believe Erin will be the first of many great signings for next year's team, and we are targeting the Monroe area heavily," he said. "We believe this is a very under-recruited area of southeastern Michigan and we believe there are many talented players here."
Graves said Madonna is taking a look at another Ida athlete.
"We know the quality of student and the quality of athlete that comes from Ida," he said. "(Basketball coach) Tim Leonard has built a phenomenal program here."