The Northwestern State women’s basketball team closed out its signing class by adding more experience.
Head coach Jordan Dupuy announced Friday the addition of Diablo Valley (California) College forward Leilani Moncrease to the Lady Demons Class of 2019.
Moncrease is a 6-foot-1 forward who averaged a double-double in her final season at Diablo Valley.
“Leilani is a great addition to our program,” said Dupuy, who begins his fourth season at NSU in November. “She helps us play the style of basketball we want on both ends of the floor. She is a versatile offensive player and can guard multiple positions defensively. She will not only be a great player on the court but will add to our culture both in the community and in the classroom. We are very lucky to have her.”
In her final season at Diablo Valley in Pleasant Hill, California, Moncrease averaged 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds per game as the Vikings captured the state junior college championship, posting a 32-1 record.
Moncrease also averaged two steals and two blocks per game and captured all-tournament honors at the Mission Tournament in November. She averaged four points and five rebounds per game as a freshman, helping Diablo Valley go 22-4 and reach the Sweet 16 of the state tournament.
Moncrease was a four-year letter winner in high school at Moreau Catholic in Hayward, California, helping her team reach the Division 3 CIF North Coast Playoffs three times.
As a senior, Moncrease earned all-tournament honors at the Marin Catholic Ladycat Classic and posted a 22-point, 19-rebound double-double game against Leadership High School.
As a freshman, Moncrease earned Moreau Catholic’s Most Improved Player award.
One of six children of Darlene Moore and Dorrell Moncrease, a strong family tie helped bring Moncrease to Northwestern State.
“I chose Northwestern State because of its dedication to athletics and academic excellence,” said Moncrease, who plans to major in biology. “NSU feels like a family atmosphere and is int eh city where my grandfather was born. I’m leaving home for another home.”
Moncrease joins fall high school signees Anessa Dussette (Manvel HS), Karyn Ford (YES Prep Gulfton) and spring signees Julia Sion (Port Arthur Memorial HS), Karen Green (Seward County CC), Nakaylis Washington (Hinds CC) and Tristen Washington (East Ascension HS) along with Fordham transfer Halei Gillis in the Lady Demons’ Class of 2019.
Photo Credit: Submitted photo
