Earlier in the year, we talked about the stellar incoming class for the Long Beach State women’s basketball team—with several players (Janae Coffee, Chantel Dooley, and Alex Sanchez) we’ve been able to see ourselves.  Now with the addition of Ella Clark and Jhakia McDonald in the Spring signing period, it’s obvious this team is putting itself in a position to be a factor in the Big West, big time.  Clark and Coffee are going to add much-needed size and an ability to pound inside that the team sorely missed last year.  Dooley, Henton, and McDonald bring the kind of athleticism required to run coach Jody Wynn’s hell-on-wheels style, and Sanchez will go a long way towards replacing the cerebral presence graduating seniors Lauren Sims and Karina Figueroa brought.  The future is looking very good at the Beach.

49er Women’s Basketball 2010 Recruiting Class

Ella Clark, Fr., F, 6-3, London, England (Chingford Foundation School)

Janae Coffee, Fr., C, 6-3, Fresno, Calif. (Clovis West HS)

Chantel Dooley, Fr., G, 5-8, Northridge, Calif. (Montclair Prep HS)

Brandi Henton, Fr., G, 5-7, Modesto, Calif. (Modesto Christian HS)

Jhakia McDonald, So., G, 5-8, Anaheim, Calif. (Fullerton College)

Alex Sanchez, Fr., G, 5-10, Anaheim, Calif. (Troy HS)

Here’s the full university report:

Long Beach State women’s basketball head coach Jody Wynn announced the signing of Jhakia McDonald, Ella Clark and Alex Sanchez on Wednesday. The trio will join The Beach for the 2010-11 season.

“We are thrilled about the addition of these three young ladies to our 2010 class,” said Wynn. “This completes a very balanced recruiting class that will make an immediate impact at The Beach.”

McDonald, a transfer from Fullerton College, helped the Hornets to an Orange Empire Conference title, going 12-0 in league play in 2009-10. The team also made an appearance in the state championship game. McDonald averaged 12.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 steals per outing. The 5-foot-8 guard was a highly touted recruit out of Magnolia High School where she was a four-time first-team all-league selection, three-time all-state honoree and two-time league MVP. McDonald attended the University of Arizona out of high school but redshirted her freshman year due to an injury.

“Jhakia is an experienced point guard with good court vision and she also has the ability to stretch the defense with her shooting,” Wynn said.

Clark, a 6-foot-3 forward, comes to The Beach from London, England, where she has been a member of the youth national team since 2006. Last year, Clark was tabbed the 2009 Under 18 English Player of the Year. She also plays for the Haringey Angels, which won the U18 club championships. In addition to basketball, Clark represented England at the Under 21 World Netball Championships in 2008 and 2009.

“We are very excited Ella has decided to study and play here at The Beach,” said Wynn. “She comes to us with a wealth of experience playing at the highest national team levels in England. She is a very versatile player that shoots the three and uses her 6-foot-8 wingspan to be a great shot blocker and rebounder.”

Sanchez is a prep standout at nearby Troy High School in Fullerton. The 5-foot-10 guard was a two-time all-state player and two-time first-team All-CIF Division I-AAA selection. A McDonald’s All-America nominee, Sanchez garnered Freeway League MVP accolades as a junior and senior. She also plays for the Cal Swish club team.

 “Alex is a cerebral, multi-dimensional guard who is an excellent passer and 3-point shooter,” Wynn said. “She knows how to win and will bring that leadership with her to our program.”

McDonald, Clark and Sanchez join Janae Coffee, Chantel Dooley and Brandi Henton, who committed to Long Beach State during the early signing period.

With reports by LBSU