WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Nov. 19, 2019) – Central Missouri Jennies Basketball Head Coach Dave Slifer is proud to announce the signing of seven new student athletes to the Jennies Basketball family. "Charley Bovaird, Kade Hackerott, Graycen Holden, Brooke Littrell, Olivia Nelson, Makenna Vanzant, and Ali Vigil are names I expect UCM fans to become very familiar with over the next four years. All of them have already established themselves as some of the best players ever to play at their respective high schools, but more importantly, they are all amazing students, leaders, and special young ladies that will represent Central Missouri and Jennies Basketball in a first class manner."
 
Charley Bovaird, 5'11 Guard, Lincoln, Nebraska, Lincoln East High School
Under the direction of Dennis Prichard at Lincoln East High School, Charley has started three straight years and helped lead her team to three straight state appearances, three straight city championships, and two district titles. Last year Charley averaged 14 points and four rebounds per game while setting a single season record at Lincoln East for made three-pointers. The past three seasons Charley has been named to the All-City team and last year earned her first All-Conference award. With one year left to play, Charley already owns the Lincoln East record for career three-pointers made. "Charley is an elite three-point shooter who also understands how to play the game," said Coach Slifer. "Being part of the Cornhusker Shooting Stars, under Coach Dan Lesoing, she was practicing and playing with other great players and against top competition on a regular basis.  Every time we saw her last spring, she performed at an elite level. We were beyond thrilled when Charley told us she wanted to be a Jen." Charley is a 4.0 honor roll student, in the National Honor Society, performs with her varsity orchestra, is active in volunteering for Special Olympics, and plans to major in Biology when she arrives at Central Missouri next fall.
 
Kade Hackerott, 5'11 Guard/Forward, Goddard, Kansas, Goddard High School
Under the leadership of Head Coach, and father, Kevin Hackerott, Kade has helped lead her team to two League Championships and a State Tournament appearance last year. Throughout Kade's high school career, she has been recognized for her elite level of play. The last two years Kade has been named her league's MVP, while the last three years she has earned a place on the Kansas High School Class 5A All-State Team. Last year, after averaging 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks per game, Kade was named First Team on the prestigious All Class All-State Team in Kansas. "Kade is a WINNER! She's competitive in every sport she plays and is a vocal leader on the floor," said Coach Slifer. "She can play and also defend every position on the floor, which fits perfectly with our style. We can't wait to get her on campus next year." Kade played club ball this past summer for one of the top programs in Kansas, Wheat State Elite, under Head Coach Keith Ferguson and Program Director Dylan Evans. Besides basketball, Kade has been an All-State performer in both volleyball and track (shot put and javelin). Kade, a 4.0 student who is at the top of her class at Goddard High School, plans to major in Business Marketing at UCM.
 
Graycen Holden, 6'1 Forward, Edmond, Oklahoma, Edmond North High School
Playing for Head Coach Pete Papahronis the past three seasons, Graycen has contributed greatly in Edmond North High School winning the NEO Tournament, Duncan Holiday Tournament, Edmond Open Title, Mustang Holiday Classic, and Broken Arrow Classic Championship. For her efforts, Graycen has been named to multiple all tournament teams and three straight All-Conference Teams.  This past season Graycen averaged 15 points, nine rebounds per game while shooting 55% from the field which led her to be named one of the VYPE top 100 players in Oklahoma this fall. Recently, Graycen won the vote for VYPE Edmond Area Preseason Player of the Year.   "Graycen is a special player. She can post, stretch the floor, get the big rebound, and do everything you need a forward to do in our system of play," commented Coach Slifer. "Graycen also has that dynamic personality that all coaches love and that people and teammates want to follow. We look forward to her playing a big role in leading the Jennies over the years to come." Graycen spent her club career with one of the top programs in the state, the Oklahoma Swarm coached by David Musselman. Graycen, a 4.0 student, is a member of the National Honor Society, Oklahoma Honor Society, and has been awarded multiple scholastic achievement awards. Graycen is undecided on what she plans to study at Central Missouri.
 
Brooke Littrell 6'2 Guard/Forward, Milan, Missouri, Green City High School
Head Coach Cody Moore has a tremendous program at Green City and Brooke has played a major role in the team's success. Over the past three years, Brook has helped lead Green City to three straight conference and district championships and two of the last three sectional titles. During this run, Brooke has amassed 2,232 points and 840 rebounds, both school records. During her junior year, Brooke established another school record when she scored 57 points in one game.  Brooke finished her junior campaign averaging 31 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, three assists per game, four steals, and two blocks per game. At the end of every one of Brooke's three high school seasons, she has been named the Conference MVP, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, and First Team All-State. "Brooke's accomplishments speak for themselves," said Coach Slifer. "We've been very high on Brooke since she attended our Elite Camp after her sophomore season. She can score at all three levels and now shoots over 40% from the three-point line. Brooke is a tough farm kid who works very hard at the game of basketball. It's a great fit for her here at UCM and Brooke has the chance to be an impact player in the MIAA."  Brooke has spent her springs and summers playing club ball for the prestigious Missouri Phenom Program under Coach Greg Logsdon. Besides basketball, Brooke has been an All State track performer in the triple jump and plays trumpet in both the marching and jazz bands at Green City High School. Brooke carries a 3.6 GPA , is a three-time member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in Agricultural Science at Central Missouri.
 
Olivia Nelson 5'7 Combo Guard, Kansas City, Missouri, Liberty High School
Joe Price, Head Coach of Liberty High School, has put Olivia in charge of the Lady Blue Jays and it's worked very well. From winning the Rockwood Summit Tournament three straight years, to two of the last three District Championships and a fourth place finish in the State Tournament in 2017-18, Olivia has played a major part in Liberty's success.  Over her career, Olivia has been named a First Team All-Conference performer three straight years and to the All-District team the last two seasons. Her junior year, Olivia averaged 11 points per game and four assists per game, while shooting 46% from the three-point line. "Olivia has been to multiple team and Elite Camps at UCM and we've know about her since she was in eighth grade" remarked Dave Slifer. "She's a tough kid with endless energy and enthusiasm who effects winning in so many ways. We were thrilled when we got the news that Olivia wanted to be a Jennie." For most of Olivia's AAU career she played with an independent local club, Les Chats, under the direction and coaching of Conrad Weledji.  After this program disbanded, Olivia played her last year with Kansas Elite. When she isn't playing basketball, Olivia still stays involved by coaching young girls' teams in the area. Olivia, who is ranked first in her class while carrying a 4.0 GPA, is interested in pursuing either Chemistry, Pre-Med, or Teaching when she enrolls in classes at UCM next fall.
 
Makenna Vanzant 5'8 Combo Guard, Farmington, Arkansas, Farmington High School
The Jennies ventured back to a familiar state and basketball program for their next signee. Brad Johnson, Head Coach at Farmington High School, has had Makenna leading the Cardinals since she stepped on the floor as a freshman. Over her career at Farmington, Makenna has led her team to a record of 76-21 and three straight state appearances, one ending in a Final Four and two ending at the Elite Eight. Makenna and Farmington will be going for their third straight conference tournament championship and they have either been the conference champs or runners-up the last three years. Makenna has made 148 threes over her career, which helped push her over the 1,000 career points scored milestone as a junior. Makenna holds Farmington's all-time assist record with a final season to add to this mark. Over her three years, Makenna has averaged 14 points per game, five rebounds per game, five assists per game, two steals per game and been recognized as an All-State, All-Conference, All-Arkansas Preps, and KURM Dream Team performer at the end of each season. "We love our Arkansas guards and Makenna has a chance to be another special one," said Coach Slifer. "Makenna was an MVP performer at our Elite Camp because of her ability to both score and create for others from the guard position. She has a tremendous work ethic and just plays the game the right way." Makenna will be joining former teammate, Madisyn Pence, who currently is a freshman at UCM. Makenna spent her club career playing for two top programs, the Arkansas Mavericks, led by Chuck Ludgood and Matt Martin, and for the Oklahoma Shock under Head Coach / Program Director Ruben Diaz. Makenna is a member of the National Honor Society and is on pace to be a High Honor Graduate with her 3.95 GPA. At Central Missouri, Makenna plans to major in Physical Education.

Ali Vigil, 5'11 Guard, Kansas City, Kansas, Piper High School
Head Coach Shane Stout has had great success with the Lady Pirates Basketball Program and Ali has played a key role over the past three years. Ali's efforts have contributed to Piper winning three conference championships and three sub-state championships, with State Tournament finishes of third, third, and second. For her efforts during these seasons, Ali was named an All-Conference, All-Tournament, and All-State performer all three years. This past season, Ali set the single season record for three-point shots made at Piper with 83, while leading her team in scoring averaging 17 points per game and shooting 41% from behind the three-point line. She was twice named the Kansas City HyVee Athlete of the Week. "Ali has a confidence about her game that I really like," said Coach Slifer, "She has incredible court vision and that helps make her an elite passer. She can also really get it going behind the three-point line which we saw often during both her high school and club games." Ali played with one of the top programs in the area, Next Level Eclipse Blue Star, under the direction of Gary Brown, Joe Erskine, and Head Coach Jon Lewis. Besides basketball, Ali has participated in volleyball and track during her time at Piper. Ali carries a 3.875 GPA, has been an Honor Roll student every semester at Piper and plans to major in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice when she begins her career at UCM.