University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Sign Three to 2009 Recruiting Class
11/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Minnesota head coach Pam Borton announced that Leah Cotton of Kansas City, Kan., Amber Dvorak of Hinckley, Minn., and Katie Loberg of Princeton, Minn., have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Golden Gopher women’s basketball team. The trio will join the Gophers for the 2009-10 season.
“I’m thrilled with our class of two top Minnesota players in Amber and Katie, and an outstanding out-of-state point guard in Leah,” said Borton, who is in her seventh season on the Minnesota sideline. “This class was recruited on a national level and we are very happy they chose the Maroon and Gold. These young women came from supportive families and have learned the game from some great high school and AAU coaches. They have a bright future at this level. It’s exciting to think about what each will bring to our program.”
Cotton is a 5-8 senior point guard from Olathe Christian School in suburban Kansas City, Kans. Cotton led the Warriors to the National Association of Christian Athlete Division II title with a 32-2 record during her junior season in 2007-08. She was honored as the NACA Tournament most valuable player. Cotton averaged 17.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.7 steals a year ago.
“Gopher fans are going to love Leah,” said Borton. “She has an energy about her and a personality that can best be described as contagious. You want a leader at point guard and Leah is a perfect fit. She is a gifted all-around player with athleticism and a take-charge attitude on the court. Leah is a playmaker who can score. Her new teammates are going to enjoy her game.”
Dvorak is a 6-7 senior center from Hinckley-Finlayson High School. She owns the distinction of being the tallest player to ever compete in the Minnesota High School State Tournament and will match the tallest player (Kim Bell, 1999-02) in Golden Gopher women’s basketball history. A two-time All-Great River Conference, Dvorak, who averaged 20.2 points and 11.4 rebounds in 2007-08, enters her senior season with 1,132 points, 796 rebounds and 345 blocked shots in her high school career. She has tallied three career triple-doubles and has a 40-point game and a 22-rebound performance on her resume. An honor student, Dvorak has also earned varsity letters in volleyball, softball and band.
“We’re excited about Amber’s future not only as a Golden Gopher, but also about her potential to be an elite player on the collegiate level,” said Borton. “She has great touch around the basket and a nice hook shot. The women’s game has seen tall post players make big impacts. Amber gives us that much-needed size in the post to continue to successfully compete in this trend in our sport.”
“I’m so proud that I’m going to play at Minnesota,” said Dvorak. “I know I made a great decision. I love it there.”
Loberg is a multi-sport standout at Princeton High School. A 6-4 post player on the hardwood, Loberg earned Minnesota Coaches Association Class AAA All-State honors as a junior after averaging 22.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.9 blocks per game. She tallied 20 double-doubles and two triple doubles in 2007-08 and scored a school single-game record of 48 points (16-20 FG, 16-19 FT) in a game versus Zimmerman in January 2008. A two-time All-Mississippi Eight Conference First Team selection, Loberg, listed among ESPN Hoopgurlz’ Top 100 Recruits, enters her senior season with 1,375 points, on pace to become Princeton’s all-time leading scorer this season. Her 380 career blocks ranks eighth all-time in Minnesota high school history. Loberg also competes in volleyball and track at Princeton. She is a four-time all-state honoree in track, three times in the high jump where she has cleared a career-best of 5 feet, 8 1/4 inches.
“Katie, obviously, is just a wonderfully gifted athlete,” said Borton. “She has great size but runs the floor with ease. Katie already possesses an exceptional skill set that will be exciting to watch in the collegiate game. She’s a prolific shot blocker and rebounder and also brings solid versatility in her offensive game. Our up-tempo style of play will fit Katie’s game very well.”
“I don’t think everything has really hit me yet,” said Loberg. “I’m really excited to get to play for the University of Minnesota. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for so long. I can’t wait.”
This 2009 class comes on the heels of Golden Gophers’ No. 14-ranked class (Blue Star Report) of 2008 that contained four Minnesotans: Becker’s Brianna and Nicole Mastey, St. Paul Central’s Kiara Buford and Park’s Jackie Voigt.
