Mincey signs talented trio to 2021 recruiting class
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman coach Mike Mincey announced a three-player recruiting class for the 2021-22 women’s basketball season Wednesday bringing Ruth Mbugua, Campbell Penland and Tori Rutherford to Mossy Creek.
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman coach Mike Mincey announced a three-player recruiting class for the 2021-22 women's basketball season Wednesday bringing Ruth Mbugua, Campbell Penland and Tori Rutherford to Mossy Creek.
"We are excited about the needs we met with this year's class," Mincey said. "We were able to stay close to home to land two of the best guards around and add a six-foot-four post with inside/out abilities is a unique skillset that we are eagerly anticipating."
The Lady Eagles have won 20 games in each of the last four seasons reaching the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championships. The Lady Eagles have led the South Atlantic Conference in scoring in five straight seasons and is one of three Division II teams and one of four teams in the top two NCAA divisions to rank in the top seven nationally in scoring over the last four campaigns.
Ruth Mbugua – Center – 6-4 – Danville, Ky.
As a team captain, Mbugua posted 16 points and 16 rebounds per game in just her second season of organized basketball a year ago. She was named the program's most improved player and was voted the Danville High School's Student Body President.
Mincey on Ruth Mbugua: "She will be the first international I've ever signed and the tallest player. From the first time I met Ruth, I knew there was something different about her. Her desire to get a college education and the importance of it really jumped out at me. The first time we worked her out, I knew this was a player we needed to bring on board. She is strong on the block with nice touch and runs the floor very well. She has the ability to knock down threes and has that green light by her coach Billy Inmon. With her height and length, she will definitely be someone that can protect the paint. I believe there is a great deal of growth in the coming years for Ruth as she continues to learn the American game. Her desire to be coached and apply those teachings are as good as I've seen. Coach Inmon raves about her ability to not only learn but to lead at Danville Christian Academy. Getting superior height at the D2 level is hard and you don't land six-foot-four every year."
Campbell Penland – Guard – 5-8 – Sevierville, Tenn.
To date, Penland has scored 1,448 points with 380 rebounds, 258 assists and 256 steals through three seasons at Northview Academy. A member of the 2019-20 TSWA All-State team, she became the school's all-time leading scorer as a junior earning three all-district distinctions and two district MVP honors. The Cougars have won three regular-season titles, two district championships and the 2018-19 region title.
Her father, Matt, played quarterback at Carson-Newman from 1993-96. He started for two South Atlantic Conference Championship units in 1995 and 1996 winning the conference's Offensive Player of the Year honors in 1995. He guided the Eagles to the 1996 National Championship game and has his name littered throughout the C-N record books.
Mincey on Campbell Penland: "Campbell comes from a school that has now popped onto the scene with a winning tradition. Coach Shelley has Northview competing for district and regional titles every year vying for that coveted trip to the state tournament. Campbell played AAU with Tori on that same Flight Select Silver team and enjoyed that same success together throughout many summers. Campbell will be slotted at the shooting guard position but within our offense, running the three could be possible as well. Campbell has deep range with a quick release and is efficient doing it. She is really good off the ball screen and feel like she will be able to score at all three levels. Like Tori, Campbell just plays hard and any coach she has played for has attested that she won't take a play off."
Tori Rutherford – Guard – 5-8 – Rutledge, Tenn.
Rutherford reached the 1,000-point mark for her career during a junior season that saw the guard post 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals on average. Winning a district championship, Rutherford was the conference MVP, District Tournament MVP and an all-region team selection. At Grainger, she has guided the club to state quarterfinal appearances.
Mincey on Tori Rutherford: "Tori comes from a tradition rich high school that has eyes set on Murfreesboro every year. Winning is all they do and I have no doubt she will bring that same energy to Jefferson City. Her AAU team, the TN Flight Select Silver, was also a major winner on the travel circuit and knowing that a player is only used to winning is big for us. Tori will be primarily looked to be a point guard but with her contagious desire to win, she could play other positions as well. She is an extension of the coach on the floor and both Coach Bishop and Coach Stallings have said as much. Her tenacity in how she plays makes her so valuable for anybody she plays for. Because she plays hard all the time, success finds her in all statistical categories. She fits our culture and is so familiar with our program and school, her transition to school will be seamless."
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