Women’s
Basketball signs two players during early recruiting period
Nov. 30, 2001
Long Island today announced
the signings of guards Amber Wirth (Hastings, MN) and Erin Pinchbeck
(Albany, NY) during the early recruiting period. Both players
will be eligible beginning with the 2002-03 season.
Wirth possesses an
excellent pull-up shot, has great 3-point range and is a sound
fundamental player. A smart competitor with a scorers mentality,
the 5-8 shooting guard is constantly working on her shot and her
defensive play. Wirth, who also excels in the classroom, averaged
16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for Hastings
HS as a junior.
Pinchbeck is a multidimensional
player who will compete predominately at shooting guard, but could
see time at the point. At 5-7, her aggressiveness and hard-working
attitude should see her receive extended playing time next season.
Pinchbeck is a solid 3-point shooter, is not afraid to drive to
the basket and is a scrappy defender. She averaged 12.0 points,
7.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game a season ago for Guilderland
HS.
As freshmen next season,
Wirth and Pinchbeck will get to compete in practice against four
guards who will be seniors. Among those include Kim Mac Millan
(Toms River, NJ), who is just 94 points shy of becoming LIU’s
all-time leading scorer, and Tara Hamilton (Kings Park, NY), who
has stepped in as the Blackbirds’ point guard.
“To have the chance
to learn from and play with the senior class of guards will be
tremendous for Amber and Erin,” assistant coach and recruiting
coordinator Christi Abbate said. “We look to stress the fact
that our recruits are focused, are good students and present themselves
well on and off the floor. Amber and Erin both demonstrate those
qualities.”
The Blackbirds finished
16-15 a season ago, winning the Northeast Conference championship
for the first time in school history and notching their first
NCAA Tournament berth. They posted their highest win total since
1976-77 and their first winning season since 1979-80.
LIU (2-2) is off to
its best start since 1995-96.
