Davenport, Petit give local flavor to women's signees for NIC

COEUR d'ALENE - Coming off a NJCAA women's basketball championship, North Idaho College coach Chris Carlson hit the ground running in an attempt to replace nine sophomores from last year's team.

"We always wonder how we are going to replace all the fine teams we have had, but somehow we always have been able to get a little bit better," Carlson said. "Everyone asks that question and we are going to just stick to the same plan we always do - get the most out of each player and the most out of our team and call it good."

Among the local signees are Post Falls High guard Tori Davenport and Coeur d'Alene guard Hailey Petit.

"The local pool was a blessing this year and every now and then, an exceptional local pool of talent will cycle through," Carlson said. "This 2011-12 team will have a strong northwest flavor, but not quite the abundance of local talent."

Davenport, 5-foot-3, was a four-year varsity player for Post Falls and team MVP. She also was a starter for the North Idaho Elite and selection to the Idaho All-Star Game at NIC.

Petit, 5-8, played on the state 5A runner-up Vikings.

“She is a quick athletic wing with a great upside,” Carlson said.

Hannah Love, a 5-11 forward from West Valley High in Spokane and Danika Johnson, a 6-3 post from Flathead High in Kalispell, Mont., have also signed.

Love is a three-time all-Great Northern League selection, averaging 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Johnson, who also played on the North Idaho Elite, sat out most her senior year with an injury.

Also signing are: Katie Buskey (5-8, G, Tahoma High, Maple Valley, Wash.), Aimee Durbridge (5-11, W, Coffs Harbor New South Wales, Australia), Dani Kastrava (5-5, G, West Albany High, Albany, Ore.), Mollie Kramer (5-10, W, Colton High), Shanee McBride (5-11, W, Vallivue High in Caldwell) and Angela Woods (5-9, G, Edmonds-Woodway High, Lynnwood, Wash.).

NIC has just two returnees from last year’s team that won the national tournament in March.