Courtesy: University of Minnesota http://gophersports.com/ Parkers Prairie's Sari Noga

Minnesota head coach Pam Borton announced a recruiting class of four student-athletes – Janelle Cannon, Kionna Kellogg, Sari Noga and Micaella Riche – has signed National Letters of Intent to join the Golden Gopher women’s basketball team for the 2010-11 season.

“It was important for our continued progression of our program to bring in student athletes who can make an immediate impact on our team,” said Borton, who is in her eighth season at Minnesota. “This class possesses the traits a coach looks for in that they are very talented, athletic, versatile, and have a great work ethic. But the intangible trait that makes this class special is that they truly treasure the opportunity to become Golden Gophers. We are excited about what the future of Gopher Basketball holds and fully expect this class to make their mark.”

Janelle Cannon is a 5-8 shooting guard from Wheeling, Ill., and Wheeling High School. Cannon led the Wildcats to a 32-2 record in 2008-09 and a third-place finish in the Illinois Class AA State Tournament in Wheeling’s very first state tournament appearance. She was accorded third-team all-state accord after her junior season where she averaged 15.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.9 steals per game. A two-time Mid-Suburban East Conference honoree, Cannon enters her senior season just 48 points from the 1,000-career point milestone. Cannon played her AAU club ball with Illinois Full Package.

“Janelle is an extremely skilled athlete whose scoring prowess and floor vision points to an opportunity for her to become a quality Big Ten combo guard,” said Borton. “Our fans will enjoy her exciting style of play. She has the potential to be exceptional on both ends of the floor.”

“I feel as if I have a chance to come in and help the team right away,” said Cannon. “I liked everything about Minnesota, from the coaches to the campus.”

Sari Noga is a 5-10 shooting guard from Parkers Prairie, Minn., and Parkers Prairie High School. Noga is standout on the Panthers’ basketball, volleyball and softball teams. Noga, a two-time Little Eight Conference most valuable player and all-state volleyball performer, will lead Parkers Prairie into the Minnesota Class A State Volleyball Tournament this weekend. On the basketball court, she has garnered all-state accord four times, been named the Little Eight MVP twice and collected all-conference honors six times. Noga heads into her senior campaign with over 2,800 points and 1,300 rebounds. She played her AAU club ball for North Tartan.

“Sari has attended our camps every summer since I’ve been at Minnesota,” added Borton. “Though she played at a small high school, her experience with the North Tartan AAU team has prepared her well for what she will face in the Big Ten. Sari is a great three-point shooter, with great leadership skills. She knows how to win.”

“I have always dreamed of playing for my home state,” said Noga. “The bonus is how much I love the coaches and the team. The atmosphere and campus at Minnesota are the best. A girl could not ask for anything better.”

Kionna Kellogg is a 6-1 center from Ames, Iowa, and Ames High School. She is the first player from the Hawkeye State to play for Minnesota since the 1985 season and will make the move to the forward position in college. Kellogg led the Little Cyclones to a 23-3 record and a runner-up finish in the Iowa Class 4A State Tournament. As a junior, she averaged 13.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks and was honored as a 2009 Iowa Girls Coaches Association First-Team All-State honoree. She played her AAU club ball with the BCA Select Red.

“Kionna will bring incredible versatility to our team as a legitimate perimeter and interior scorer,” said Borton. “Her length, quickness and work ethic are going to allow her to be a lockdown defender for us as well.”

“I choose Minnesota because I love the coaches and the great environment that they create with the team, “ said Kellogg. “Minnesota presents me with the opportunity to grow as a player and as a person. The chemistry the team seems to have is also something that I will be looking forward to becoming a part of.  And the campus, it is beautiful and diverse.”

Micaella Riche is a 6-2 power forward from Gloucester, Ontario, and Louis Riel High School. Riche was a member of the Canadian U15 and U17 in recent years. Last summer, she led her Ontario team to a bronze medal in the 2009 Canada Games, tallying 23 points and nine rebounds in the medal game. She led the U15 team to a gold medal in the 2007 Canada Games. Riche played her AAU club ball with Team Ontario.

“Micaella brings a championship presence and mentality,” said Borton. “She is the total package with her physical abilities, her work ethic and her mental edge. Micaella is a true force in the paint and is equally comfortable on the perimeter. Mentally, she is a fearless, tough competitor and a player who expects to win at everything she does. It is rare to find a player who is as competitive and smart this early in their career.” 

“The U of M was a perfect fit for me… the coaching staff, the team, the campus, the Barn, the atmosphere, the setting, the quality of education, the spirit of the people, the location…I could go on!” said Riche. “I am so excited to be a Golden Gopher and I will wear the Maroon and Gold with all the pride I have.”

This class is one of the largest to sign with the Gophers and one that will be expected to make an impact on the program as soon as they walk on campus. Borton has plenty of great things to say about this incoming class.

“The versatility to play multiple positions and be successful on both ends of the floor are key elements which make this recruiting class so exciting,” added Borton. “They are complete players who will make us a much quicker and versatile team. These young women are also good students and come from successful high school and AAU programs, and most importantly, from solid families. We welcome these families into the family that is Gopher basketball.”