PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball coach Linden Weese has announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent for the upcoming 2008-09 season. Chelsea Nichols (5-8, G, Lazbuddie, Texas/Lazbuddie HS), Alex Ortiz (5-7, G, El Paso, Texas/Eastwood HS), Karen Grant (5-5, G, Lubbock, Texas/Estacado HS), Kassie Daugherty (6-0, F, Bridgeport, Texas/Bridgeport HS) and Celeste Belizario (6-1, F, Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa HS) will be joining the Zias this year.

“Overall it is a very athletically gifted group of kids,” said Weese. “We were able to add some size as well as some good scorers on the outside. “I think this bunch is very complimentary to what we have coming back and I am looking forward to putting the two groups together.”

The class includes versatility at the guard positions, as Nichols, Ortiz and Grant bring scoring ability to the roster, in addition to superior passing skills and defensive abilities. Daugherty and Belizario combine power and athleticism and should be a strong compliment to ENMU’s current post players.

Nichols had a stellar career at LHS, registering 28.3 points and nine rebounds per game, concluding her career with over 2,000 total points. For her efforts, she earned all-state honors following her senior season. Ortiz, a first team all-district selection after her junior and senior seasons at EHS, averaged 11 points, five assists and three steals per game. Grant, an all-district guard as a senior, averaged 10 points, five assists and three steals per game.

Daugherty and Belizario both earned all-district selections in their final two seasons and should help strengthen the Zias in the paint. Daugherty was a strong performer for NHS on both sides of the floor, registering 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks per game. Belizario averaged a double-double as a senior at THS, with 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.

The group should complement a young group of returnees, including just two juniors as the Eastern New Mexico University women’s basketball team attempts to move up in the competitive Lone Star Conference South Division standings.