“We are very excited about the presence that Sarah brings to our program with her size and strength,” said Cowles. “She’s had two years of division I experience at a great institution. I think the biggest benefit for Sarah will be having the year off next year to learn our system and get herself in shape for the 2005-06 season.”
The 6-foot, 5-inch Shouse played 12.4 minutes per game last year at Marquette, averaging 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds. She also responded in her only start of the year against Notre Dame, finishing with a career-high 10 points. In her two years with the Golden Eagles, Shouse shot 33.1 percent from the field and recorded 45 blocked shots in 56 games.
Shouse had an outstanding prep career at Greenwood, earning Kentucky Gatorade Player-of-the-Year honors as a senior, while also being named to the McDonald's High School All-America team. She averaged over 10 points and seven rebounds per game in both her junior and senior seasons. She also totalled 177 blocked shots in her senior season to become the all-time blocks leader at GHS. In her final year, Shouse led Greenwood to a 23-6 record and a runner-up finish in the Fourth Region Tournament.
Shouse is the fourth player to sign with the Lady Toppers during the spring, only adding to the height brought in by 2004 Kentucky Miss Basketball Crystal Kelly (6-2) and Bowling Green High School product Cary Bell (6-4). Junior college guard Ashley Butler also signed with WKU in the spring, while Bridjette Brown and Raquel Mattis inked with the Lady Toppers during the fall signing period.
“We’re finished with our recruiting for next season,” added Cowles. “Our staff has worked extremely hard to build up the depth, ability and strength of our basketball team for next season. This crop of new players just adds another dimension to our team, and is bringing us closer to what we are trying to achieve.”
