November 19, 1998
PROVIDENCE, RI - Providence College head coach Jim Jabir has received three signed national letters of intent during the early signing period. Brooke Freeburg, a 5-11 guard from Waterford, PA, Dee Cummings, a 5-5 guard from Huntsville, AL and Steffanie Shoop, a 6-1 forward from Somerville, NJ have committed to play with the Friars beginning in 1999-2000.
"This class represents another strong class in our efforts to rebuild our program," said Jabir. They bring skill and desire to three important spots where we need to continue to get better."
Brooke Freeburg has helped Fort LeBoeuf High to a three-year record of 76-12. League Champions twice and State Quarterfinalists twice, Freeburg has been named a Street and Smith All-American Honorable Mention. Last season, she was a unanimous selection for First Team All-Conference as she led the league in scoring with 18.9 points per game. A three-time team MVP, Freeburg has also been named a two-time track All-American. Currently ranked #2 in the nation in the javelin, she also starred on the soccer team last fall earning First Team All-Conference honors. Freeburg will also compete on the track team at Providence. She currently has 1,455 career points and 957 career rebounds and should become the all-time career league scorer this season. "Brooke is an intelligent player with a strong will to win. A coaches child, she has very good knowledge of the game and will help our depth at the wing," states Jabir.
Dee Cummings is a member of the #1 team in the nation at Butler High School in Huntsville, Alabama. The starting point guard for the squad, Cummings averaged 9.7 points and 10.3 assists last season as her squad has won its last 33 games and two Class 6A state titles. Last season the team finished third in the final USA TODAY rankings and set numerous national records including 296 three-pointers and averaging 94.1 points. Cummings was the MVP at the Longview Shootout (TX) a year ago and along with her points and assists, also racked up 5.6 steals a game. "Dee is one of the quickest ballhandlers I have seen," said Jabir. "She can help our transition game and our on the ball defense. She will be invaluable at giving us depth at the point guard spot. Her ability to penetrate and distribute will be an important factor in how we play."
A two-time Street and Smith All-American Honorable Mention, Steffanie Shoop helped Hillsborough High to the Conference and County Championship a year ago. She averaged 17.6 points and 10.2 rebounds while shooting 63% from the field. The Garden State Games Athlete of the Year and Governor's Cup Athlete, Shoop also competes on the track team in the discus and high jump leading her squad to the Jersey Group 4 State Championship. In only two varsity years of playing basketball, due to an injury, she has averaged 16.9 points per game and 10.1 rebounds since her freshman season. Shoop was also one of the top 80 players in the nation to be invited to the prestigious Nike All-America Camp. "Steffanie combines athleticism, strength and a great enthusiasm for the game," states the third year coach. "She is a player who is going to be a perfect fit in how we play with her running and jumping ability. I look forward to seeing her in our program."
