Soderquist Announces Eight New Additions with 2020 Signees

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- John Brown University women's basketball coach Jeff Soderquist announced on Wednesday (May 27) morning the signing of eight incoming prep student-athletes for the 2020-21 season, including four guards and four forwards.

The women's basketball program, which features a pair of NAIA National Championships appearances in the past seven seasons, welcomes Leah Anderson (Rush, Colo.), Elise Cone (Bartlesville, Okla.), Megan Holloway (Eureka Springs, Ark.), Grace Latham (Martindale, Texas), Ariel Nix (Gentry, Ark.), Emily Sanders (Bentonville, Ark.), Josie Sisk (Huntsville, Ark.) and Natalie Smith (Bentonville, Ark.).

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

Anderson joins the Golden Eagles after a four-year career under head coach Arlene Frihauf at Edison High School, where she led the Eagles to a 12-11 record, averaging over 24 points per game in her senior season. Averaging a double-double with 15 rebounds per game, the 5-foot-7 guard garnered All-Black Forest League honors three times and was named Edison's most valuable player in her final three campaigns. Anderson was a four-time scholar-athlete and helped guide the Eagles to four consecutive state tournament district appearances. The two-sport athlete but also suited up for a quartet of seasons on the volleyball team, landing three All-Black Forest League selections.

//  “Leah has the ability to score around the basket for her size and plays super hard on both ends.”

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

A two-year starter and three-year letterwinner at Bartlesville High School, Cone arrives at JBU after a strong career under head coaches Krista Binam and Donnie Martin. The 5-foot-7 guard was an Academic All-State selection and helped lead the Bruins to a 2017 6A conference title and regional championship. Also a four-year track athlete, Cone averaged a 32 percent career clip from behind the three-point arc and paced all Bruins with 59 triples over the past two seasons, including a 26-of-84 mark in her senior season.

//  "Elise is a talented wing player that can shoot the three-pointer and drive to the basket."

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

Holloway spent a trio of seasons prepping under head coach Ryan Sanchez at Eureka Springs High School. While setting career single-game bests in points (28) and rebounds (15) as a senior, the 6-foot-2 forward helped lead the Highlanders to a conference title in 2019. The two-sport athlete also spent four seasons on the Highlander volleyball squad.

//  “Megan is a very athletic post player that can run the floor and also play outside the three-point line."

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

Another 6-foot-2 forward makes her way to Siloam Springs as Latham capped off a four-year starting career at San Marcos High School under head coach Veronda Kendall. The team captain posted single-game career highs with 19 points, 11 rebounds and an impressive nine blocks in her junior season. The All-District honorable mention selection was named the team's most valuable player.

//  “Grace is a strong post player that can score around the basket and block shots."

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

The closest signee of the 2020 class comes from nearby Gentry High School as Nix joins the Golden Eagles after a three-year career under head coach Toby Tevebaugh. Over her career, the 5-foot-7 guard shot over 43 percent from the floor and behind the arc, notching a career-best 23 points against Huntsville High School as a junior. Nix, a two-time All-Conference selection, also played four seasons on the girls soccer team and three with the volleyball squad during her time as a Pioneer.

//  “Ariel is a talented guard that can shoot the triple, and make it from long distance."

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

The first of two Bentonville High School Tigers to join John Brown for 2020, Sanders just wrapped up a three-year career under head coach Tom Halbmaier. Despite suffering a near-season long injury as a senior, the 5-foot-10 guard helped the Tigers reach the AAA 6A state championship game in back-to-back seasons, sharing the title in her final season. Sanders helped Bentonville to consecutive 6A West conference titles and landed All-6A West and All-State selections in the process. The KURM Dream Team pick led the Tigers in assists as a sophomore and junior while shooting nearly 50 percent from behind the arc and 80 percent from the charity stripe in 2018-19.

//  “Emily is a tall point guard that can control the game and is a good three-point shooter."

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

Another KURM Dream Team selection joins JBU this fall as Sisk finished her three-year career at Huntsville High School under head coaches Charles Berry and Greg McCone. The 5-foot-11 forward topped out at 23 points and 10 rebounds as single-game highs in her senior season and landed an All-4A West selection in her final season.Sisk also paced the Eagles in blocks and free-throw efficiency as a junior.

//  “Josie is a very strong forward that plays very hard and possesses the ability to play multiple positions."

//  MEET THE SIGNEE

Smith prepped under head coach Tom Halbmaier for a trio of seasons, helping Bentonville High School to a share of the 2020 6A state title. Joining teammate Emily Sanders in the Blue and Gold, the 5-foot-8 guard earned back-to-back All-6A West accolades before landing an All-State selection at the conclusion of her senior season. Smith, a career 43 percent shooter from three-point range, went off for 25 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the field as a junior in her single-game career best and was a part of the Tigers' 6A West championship teams in consecutive seasons.

//  “Natalie is a great wing player and very good three-point shooter that will also take opponents off the dribble."