Highlands Inks Two More New Mexico Lady Hoopsters
by NMHU Athletics
Las Vegas: New Mexico Highlands University women’s basketball coach Tiffany Darling and staff continue to add to their list of impressive signings by adding Ellen Cruz (5’8”; Guard; Pojoaque, N.M.) and Whitley Coca (5’5”; Guard; Cimarron, N.M) to their program. Cruz and Coca are proven winners as both young ladies led their teams to State Championships in 2009. Cruz was a major contributor to Pojoaque HS’s perfect season in 2009 as well as their state championship in 2008. Coca was a member of three Cimarron HS basketball state championship teams in her high school career.
Ellen Cruz averaged 11 points, 6.2 assists, and 7.4 rebounds per game in her final season at Pojoaque HS. She was a First-Team All-District and First-Team All-State selection all four years of her high school career; freshman and sophomore years at Peñasco High School and her junior and senior years at Pojoaque HS. Cruz will be participating in the North/South All-Star game on July 10. The 3A North/South All Star game will be played on the campus of New Mexico Highlands University.
“Ellen (Cruz) is a proven winner; she’s won everywhere she’s been. She knows the game very well and has the ability to get the best out of her teammates. After watching a lot of NM high school basketball this year, her court awareness, vision, and ball handling were second to none. She was a one-person press break and the best passer we saw. She plays with a lot of poise and confidence. She is committed to extending her shooting range this season as we want her to look to score more during her career here at NMHU” says Coach Darling of Cruz.
Whitley Coca was the spark plug on the 2009 Cimarron State Championship team. Coca was a multi-sport threat for the Lady Rams as she garnered All-State and All-District honors in basketball and track as well as All-District honors in volleyball. Coca was also a member two track and field state championships for CHS. Coca was also chosen to play in the 1A North/South All-Star game. Coca was one of the state's top scorers, averaging 19 points per game.
“Whitley (Coca) comes from a well-respected high school program. She knows how to win and what it is going to take to turn this (NMHU) program around. Our number one priority with this recruiting class is to fill our point guard position. To win in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, you need a quality point guard---I’m confident that we have found that in Whitley (Coca)” says Coach Darling of Coca.
Darling also noted that," Whitley is hard-nosed, she hates to lose, and is a versatile play maker. She can flat out fill a stat sheet."
