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Illinois, Grentz Ink Top-20 Recruiting Class
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Coach Grentz is in her 10th season at Illinois.
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Nov. 10, 2004
Lori Bjork Profile (PDF)
Chelsea Gordon Profile (PDF)
Danielle Gratton Profile (PDF)
Erin McCarthy Profile (PDF)
Lacey Simpson Profile (PDF)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--Illinois Coach Theresa Grentz announced the signing of five student-athletes to national letters of intent Wednesday afternoon. Lori Bjork, a 5-11 point guard from Johnston, Iowa, Chelsea Gordon, a 6-0 wing from Erie, Pa., Danielle Gratton, a 6-0 guard from Bethel Park, Pa., Erin McCarthy, a 6-5 center from Tulsa, Okla., and Lacey Simpson, a 5-11 wing from Zion, Ill. make up the 2004-05 signing class. The class is ranked 20th nationally by Blue Star Index.
"The 2005 class isn't about rankings, and it isn't about awards and statistics," said Grentz. "The 2005 class is about championships and the qualities that it takes to achieve them. Blue collar, dedicated, determined and unselfish; these are just a few of the qualities that the five members of the 2005 class will bring with them when they arrive at Illinois. They are talented players, but more importantly they are great people and amazing students. They have tremendous support from their families and friends and are dedicated to themselves, to this team and to helping bring Illinois basketball back to national prominence."
Biographical sketches of the 2004-05 Illinois women's basketball signees:
 Lori Bjork  |
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5-11 Point Guard • Johnston HS, Johnston, Iowa
Notes: All-Star Girls Report lists Bjork as the 130th-ranked senior. She is a smart, smooth shooting combo guard who has started every game of her career at Johnston High School and has led the team in scoring in each of her first three seasons. As a junior she averaged 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds after scoring at a clip of 14.7 points per game as a sophomore. She has been deadly from behind the arc, shooting at a nearly .400 clip for her career - including .417 as a junior and .407 as a sophomore. She was a second-team All-State and first-team All-Central Iowa Metro League player in 2003-04 as a junior.
Bjork also excels off the court. She has a four-plus G.P.A. and ranks No. 1 in her class of over 300. She will already have some college credit earned before setting foot in Champaign-Urbana, as she has taken several advanced placement courses at Johnston. Bjork chose to don Orange and Blue after considering Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Drake and Creighton. She played for the Iowa Elite AAU team under coach Dave Wessling. She also competes on the cross-country and track & field teams at Johnston.
Coach Grentz on Bjork: "When I think of the term "blue collar" there is no question that Lori Bjork comes to mind. After breaking her jaw taking a charge, Lori had a special mouthpiece fitted to allow her to get back on the court as quickly as possible this past summer. A 5-10 combo guard, Lori can easily slide between the point guard and the off-guard position. Deadly from three, Lori is just as comfortable taking it off the dribble and mixing it up down low. Lori is a fierce competitor and a gym rat in every sense of the word. We couldn't be more excited that Lori is now a part of our Illini family!"
 Chelsea Gordon |
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6-0 Wing Forward • Mercyhurst Preparatory HS, Erie, Pa.
Notes: Gordon is ranked No. 123 in the Blue Star Index of seniors. A smooth, athletic wing forward out of Erie, Pa., Gordon has amassed 1,199 points in her first three years at Mercyhurst Prep for a 13.6 average. During her junior season in 2003-04, Gordon helped lead Mercyhurst to the PIAA Class 4A State title with a 29-1 record and was named a first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press. Gordon is an AAU teammate of fellow UI signee Danielle Gratton. The two teamed up to help the Western PA Bruins to a ninth place finish at last year's AAU Nationals.
Off the court, Gordon is an outstanding student. In addition to boasting a 3.7 G.P.A, she is also a National Honor Society Member, is active with the Greater Calvary Youth Council and is a member of the Track & Field team at Mercyhurst. Gordon is leaning towards business as a possible major at Illinois. She chose Illinois over Temple, Pittsburgh, Northwestern and William & Mary.
Coach Grentz on Gordon: "Winning championships is about setting the bar high, something that Chelsea Gordon certainly knows a thing or two about. Despite being asked to play out of position at Mercyhurst Prep, Chelsea and her teammates claimed the Pennsylvania 4A State Championship last season. A silky smooth forward who's comfortable not only slashing to the basket but stepping out to shoot the three, Chelsea comes to us with a "championship mentality" that is vital to every program. Chelsea has set her expectations extremely high and is willing to do whatever it takes to help us achieve those goals in the years to come."
 Danielle Gratton |
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6-0 Shooting Guard • Bethel Park HS, Bethel Park, Pa.
Notes: Gratton is ranked No. 76 in the nation in the Blue Star Index of seniors. A versatile guard out of Bethel Park, Pa., Gratton has played virtually every position for her high school team, but will likely play shooting guard in college. The strong-framed Gratton was an All-South Section and WPIAL Terrific Ten selection by the Pittsburgh Tribune while leading Bethel Park to a 23-4 record in 2003-04. She led the team in points (13.3), assists (3.3), steals (2.7) and blocks (0.9), while also pulling down five boards per game and shooting over .500 from the field during her junior campaign. Gratton, who was invited to attend the Adidas Top Ten All-American Camp this past summer, is an AAU teammate of fellow UI signee Chelsea Gordon. The two teamed up to help the Western PA Bruins to a ninth place finish at last year's AAU Nationals.
Gratton is solid in the classroom, posting a 3.85 G.P.A., and is a National Honor Society member. She is leaning towards a career in education and coaching. She is also a member of the volleyball team at Bethel Park High School. Gratton chose Illinois over Penn State, Georgetown, Boston College, James Madison and Princeton.
Coach Grentz on Gratton: "With the graduation of three senior perimeter players at year's end, Danielle is a natural fit to fill the wing slot role here at Illinois. At 6-0, Danielle will provide the much-needed size we are seeking on the perimeter. A "glue player", Danielle has the personality and the skills that truly bind a class together. Whether it's diving on the floor for a loose ball, making the extra pass to her teammate or pulling down a much needed rebound, Danielle is willing to do whatever it takes to help Illinois return to the top of the Big Ten."
 Erin McCarthy |
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6-5 Center • Bishop Kelly HS, Tulsa, Okla.
Notes: Blue Star Index ranks McCarthy as the No. 47 senior in the country. A solid-framed true center out of Tulsa, Okla., McCarthy played the first three years of her high school career at St. Joseph's Academy in St. Louis, Mo. before moving to Oklahoma with her family this past summer. While at St. Joseph's, McCarthy led the Angels to the Class 5A State title in 2003-04 as a junior and to a runner-up finish in 2002-03. She is a two-time Class 5 first-team All-State selection in addition to being a two-time All-Metro and All-Conference pick.
An imposing force in the paint, McCarthy has career averages of 6.5 blocks, 8.8 rebounds and 10.1 points while shooting .526 from the field. During her freshman year she nearly averaged a double-double (9.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg) and swatted away an astounding 7.7 shots per game.
Outside of the gym, McCarthy is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Comets for Christ and History from Hollywood. She has interest in getting into marketing at Illinois. McCarthy was the first of the class of 2005 to verbally commit to play for the Illini, making her choice in January of her junior season.
Coach Grentz on McCarthy: "Erin will always be remembered as our first commitment of the 2005 class. From day one, Erin and her family bought into the vision we have for the future and wanted to be a major part of it. At 6-5, Erin gives us the true center that we have been searching for. Adept at shot blocking, she also brings great athleticism to the table, along with the ability to play the up-tempo style we love. After leading St. Joseph's to the Missouri Class 5 State Title last season as a junior, Erin understands the commitment and drive it takes to win championships. She is a team player in every sense of the word."
 Lacey Simpson |
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5-11 Wing Forward • Zion-Benton HS, Zion, Ill.
Notes: Simpson is rated as the No. 85 senior in the nation according to All-Star Girls Report. A long, athletic wing forward out of Zion-Benton High School, Simpson is a very well rounded player who once made eight three-pointers in one game (a school record) but is also dangerous as a slasher and in the post. She averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds her junior year for Zion-Benton and has career averages of nearly 15 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, four steals and three assists. "Laces" is already Zion-Benton's all-time leading scorer and is a three-time North Suburban All-Conference Team selection - twice as a first-teamer and once as an honorable mention pick. She is a three-time member of the All-Lake County team and was named the Zee-Bee's team MVP in 2003-04 after leading the team to a division championship. This past summer, she attended the Adidas Top Ten All-American Camp in Suwanee, Ga.
Outside of the gym, Simpson is a solid student who was the recipient of Zion-Benton's African Achievement Award. She hopes to study business or education at Illinois.
Coach Grentz on Simpson: "Lacey Simpson is without a doubt one of the best kept secrets in the state. A newcomer to the AAU circuit, Lacey opened some eyes this summer with her lightning quick defensive skills and her ability to get to the basket with ease. Despite an amazing summer, there is no doubt that Lacey's best basketball is still to come. With an amazing work ethic and a desire to continue to learn the game, Lacey will be a fan favorite for Illini faithful for years to come."
