Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: Walk-on Angela Black earned a spot on the Azusa Pacific roster as a reserve guard … Displays a strong work ethic and a determined attitude on the defensive side of the ball … Took a year off from competitive basketball and will have to adjust to the speed of the college game as the season progresses.

2007: Attended classes at Azusa Pacific but did not play basketball.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 varsity seasons at Rialto High … Was twice named the Knights’ defensive MVP … Registered team-highs of nearly 6 assists and 5 steals per game as a 2005 junior … Helped lead Rialto to back-to-back CIF-SS Div. I-AA playoff appearances.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 25, 1987, in Fontana, Calif., to Leon and Carol Black … Has 2 siblings, an older brother and an older sister … Majoring in social work … Enjoys poetry and listening to music.

THIS YEAR: One of 5 newcomers to the team, freshman guard Michelle Byrd will compete for a starting role opposite point guard Sarah Leathers … Will be featured as one of the Cougars’ top defensive players and will match up against opponents’ top outside threats … Embraces her role as a player who provides the intangibles … Disrupts passing lanes and goes aggressively after rebounds and loose balls.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons at Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley, Calif. … Was named the Inland Valley League MVP after leading the Mustangs to a share of the league title, averaging 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game … Was a 2-time All-CIF second team pick, and twice earned all-league first team recognition … Was selected to the Desert Valley All-Star North team … As a 2005 sophomore, named to All-Southwestern League second team.

THIS YEAR: Transfer forward Bre Catron joins Azusa Pacific with 4 full years of eligibility after redshirting her first collegiate season at Pepperdine … Brings a positive outlook and genuine excitement to return to game action … Should rate as one of the most athletic players in the GSAC … Creates matchup problems with her combination of size and skill.

PEPPERDINE (Redshirt): Redshirted the 2006-07 campaign at NCAA Div. I West Coast Conference member Pepperdine.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 4-year starter at J.W. North High in Riverside, Calif., where she led the Huskies to 4 straight CIF Tournaments, including a pair of semifinals appearances … Compiled over 1,600 points and 900 rebounds in a storied prep career in which she earned a McDonald’s All-American nomination, Street & Smith All-American honorable mention and a top-75 ranking by Blue Star Girls Report after her 2006 senior campaign … Was a 4-time all-league pick and 3-time all-county selection … Also lettered in tennis and track & field.

PERSONAL: Born March 16, 1988, in San Bernardino, Calif. … Mother is Robin Catron … Has an older brother, Trescher (25).

THIS YEAR: A developing post player, sophomore Kristel Eddington teams with Abby Johnson and Kristie Hala’ufia to give the Cougars a deep presence in the post ... Has a terrific shooting touch in the key ... Should see significant playing time, primarily as a reserve.

2007: Gained valuable experience as a 2007 freshman, appearing in 31 of the Cougars’ 36 games, including all 3 postseason contests ... Started 6 games, all early in the season ... Averaged 4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12 minutes of play per outing ... Best showing came in the Cougars’ 81-69 win over Cal Poly Pomona in which she posted her first collegiate double-double with career-highs of 13 points and 12 rebounds ... Registered another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a victory over Hope International ... In only her third collegiate game, came off the bench to tally 13 points against nationally-ranked Point Loma Nazarene.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-sport standout at Valley Christian High in Cerritos, Calif. ... Played 3 seasons of varsity basketball for longtime head coach Eleanor Dykstra ... Was a 2-time All-CIF first team honoree and a 2-time All-Olympic League first team pick ... As a 2006 senior, led the Crusaders in scoring (17.5 avg.) ... Tallied a career-high 30 points vs. Brentwood High ... As a 2005 junior, led Valley Christian to a 21-9 record and the CIF semifinals after averaging team highs of 11.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks ... Named to the Long Beach Press-Telegram “Dream Team” ... As a 2004 sophomore, was a key reserve on the Crusaders’ CIF runner-up squad ... Was also a standout on Valley Christian’s softball team and was a 4-time All-Olympic League selection ... Was a 3-time All-CIF honoree as well ... Batted .380 over her final 2 seasons, leading the Crusaders in batting each season, while topping the squad in stolen bases as well ... Named Olympic League MVP as a junior ... Was a 4-year teammate of current Cougar softballer Erin Halma ... Comes out of the same high school program that produced former Cougar great and all-time leading scorer Cindy DeYoung.

PERSONAL: Born May 21, 1988, in Long Beach, Calif., to Gary (Boeing manager) and Karen (loan officer) Eddington ... Has an older brother (Garrett) and a younger sister (Katelin) ... Majoring in sociology ... Would like to do social work or be a teacher.

THIS YEAR: After a 1-year layoff, junior forward Nikita Gordon gives Azusa Pacific a considerable addition to its front-court presence … Will compete for an immediate starting spot … Capable of playing a physical low-post game but also has consistent range on her jumper out to 15 feet … Passes well out of the post and has good court vision … Crashes the boards relentlessly.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played 2 seasons at Chandler-Gilbert College in Mesa, Ariz., helping turn around a Coyote program that had just 8 conference games in the 3 seasons prior to her arrival … Led Chandler-Gilbert to a 24-10 mark in 2006, its first winning record of the decade … Helped the Coyotes clinch the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region 1 titles … Earned All-American third team recognition as a 2006 sophomore and was a 2-time All-ACCAC second team pick.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 varsity seasons at Sierra High in Manteca, Calif., after spending her first 2 varsity prep campaigns at Tracy High … As a 2004 senior, led the Timberwolves to a 27-2 campaign that netted a Valley Oak League title … Earned McDonald’s All-American recognition and was named Valley Oak League MVP.

PERSONAL: Born July 19, 1986, to Gary Gordon and Carol Hampton … Has 2 sisters, Tamika (25) and Devereaux (12) … Majoring in communication.

THIS YEAR: Redshirt Kristie Hala’ufia is set to take the court after sitting out the past 2 seasons while establishing proper eligibility ... Brings a physical presence to the Cougar frontcourt and should be a force in the key ... Plays with a high level of energy and is quite vocal ... Could prove to be an impact player off the bench, one who changes the complexion of a game.

2007: Had to sit out the 2007 season to satisfy NAIA eligibility rules but practiced with the team throughout the season.

2006: Redshirted her first season at Azusa Pacific.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 3-sport athlete at Aragon High in San Mateo, Calif. … Played 4 years of varsity basketball under head coach Annette Gennaro … Was also a member of the volleyball and track teams … Named All-Peninsula Athletic League after averaging 16 points as a 2005 senior … Led the Dons to a semi-final appearance in the Northern California playoffs … Was a major reason why Aragon went 99-25 in her 4 seasons … Helped the Dons go 48-3 in league play … As a junior, averaged 12 points and earned All-PAL honorable mention … Was named to the All-PAL first team for her work as a middle blocker on the volleyball team … Was injured for the majority of her sophomore season and did not play … Averaged 9 points as a freshman … Served 1 year as team captain.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 25, 1987, to Sitani and Diean Hala’ufia in Redwood City, Calif. … Has 2 brothers (Joseph, Samuel) and 1 sister (former Cougar center Meliame) … Has several relatives who have played collegiate basketball including her uncles Sam (Cal Poly) and Rex (Pepperdine) … Also has a cousin, Alexandria, currently attending Azusa Pacific … Was Polynesian Club President.

THIS YEAR: Redshirt freshman C.J. Hill is an excellent point guard who is set to take the court after sitting out last year ... Rated a good outside shooter but can drive to the basket as well ... Noted for her quickness and overall hard-nosed play ... Needs to adjust to the sophistication of the college game but has a terrific future ahead of her.

2007: Sat out the 2007 season to comply with NAIA eligibility regulations but attended Azusa Pacific and practiced with the team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a 2-time All-CIF first team selection during her 3-year career at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif. ... Played for head coach Paul Gross ... Was also a 3-time All-Mission League pick ... As a 2006 senior, averaged a Mission League-best 18.3 points a game (36th in the state) and led the league with 60 3-point field goals ... Scored a career-high 31 points against Miller High ... Also had 29 points, 6 assists and 5 steals in a game vs. Perris High ... Named to the Los Angeles Daily News All-Area team while leading the Knights to a 20-10 record ... As a 2005 junior, averaged 12.7 points, 3.6 steals (league leader) and 2.1 assists while leading the Knights to a 20-7 record and their first CIF championship in 20 years ... In 2004 was named Notre Dame’s Sophomore Athlete of the Year ... Also played 1 varsity season of volleyball and ran track (sprint) another season.

PERSONAL: Born July 4, 1988, in Van Nuys, Calif., to George (therapist) and Juanita (consumer services manager) Hill ... Has a younger sister ... Her father played basketball at SUNY-Oswego where he is among the school’s all-time top 5 in assists ... Her mother ran track at SUNY-New Paltz ... Her cousin is former Major League Baseballer Chris Jones (Reds, Rockies, Brewers, and others) ... Majoring in social work and loves working with children.

THIS YEAR: One of the top players in the Golden State Athletic Conference, senior center Abby Johnson is the anchor of the Cougar offense ... Quite mobile and active and hard to defend ... Prolific scorer who can tally points under the basket or on the edges of the paint ... Is physical in her play ... Rated a good defender as well ... Will push for national honors.

2007: Put together an outstanding 2007 campaign that earned her All-GSAC first team recognition ... Led the team in rebounding (7.9 avg., fifth in the GSAC), blocked shots (43, third in the GSAC) and field goal percentage (.580, second in the GSAC) and was second in scoring (14.2 avg.) ... Started all 32 games she played, scoring 10 or more points in 27 contests ... Recorded a team-high 10 double-doubles, including a 21-point, career-high 15-rebound effort in a win over California Baptist ... Closed the season with 3 straight double-doubles, averaging 17.7 points and 11 rebounds in the postseason ... Had 27 points, 12 rebounds, a season-high 5 assists and 2 blocked shots in a victory over Olivet Nazarene ... Tallied a career-high 28 points in a over Cal State Dominguez Hills ... Recorded a season-high 4 blocked shots in 4 different games, including back-to-back victories over California Baptist and Biola.

EASTERN WASHINGTON: Played 2 seasons for NCAA Division I Eastern Washington, appearing in 52 games for the Eagles, starting 8 ... As a 2006 sophomore, played in 27 of the Eagles’ 28 games, starting the first 8 contests of the season ... Averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting a team-high .532 (33-for-62) from the floor ... Tallied season highs of 10 points (vs. Montana) and 6 rebounds (several times) ... As a 2005 freshman, came off the bench in 25 games, averaging 1.4 points and 1.7 rebounds.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity basketball for head coach Len Kelly at Clarkston (Wash.) High ... As a 2004 senior, named all-state, all-district and All-Greater Spokane League first team .. Earned league and district first team recognition as a 2003 junior ... Set the school single-game record with 36 points ... Was also an all-league and all-district honoree as a 2002 sophomore ... Also earned varsity letters in volleyball and tennis.

PERSONAL: Born Nov. 7, 1985, in Lewiston, Ida., to Guy (business owner) and Kathy Johnson .. Has a younger brother (Clayton) ... Majoring in applied health and would like to go into physical therapy following graduation ... Enjoys scrapbooking, 4-wheeling, camping, and boating.

THIS YEAR: One of 4 sophomores on the Cougars’ 12-player roster, guard Rachel Leathers is hard-nosed player with good savvy for the game ... Is an experienced player who gives the Cougars quality depth in the back court ... Will have to battle for key playing time.

2007: Appeared in 27 games as a 2007 true freshman, all off the bench, averaging just over 6 minutes a game ... Scored 30 points to go along with 14 assists and 14 rebounds ... Best outing came in the Cougars’ 115-89 victory over Olivet Nazarene University, tallying 4 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 12 minutes of action.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity basketball for head coach Garth Anderson at Pacifica High in Garden Grove, Calif. ... As a 2006 senior averaged 9.6 points and a team-high 5.2 assists for the 14-14 Mariners, who went undefeated (12-0) in the Garden Grove League and advanced to the second round of the CIF playoffs ... Record 3 double-doubles, including 14 points and a career-high 10 assists in a win over Los Amigos High ... As a 2005 junior, averaged 8.5 points and 2.8 assists for the 13-14 Mariners who won the league title (13-1) ... Scored a career-high 22 points in a win over Bolsa Grande.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 1, 1988, in Whitefish, Mont., to David (administrator) and Cathy Leathers ... Has 2 brothers and 2 sisters, including Sarah, the Cougars’ senior point guard ... Majoring in liberal studies.

THIS YEAR: One of the premier players in the GSAC, Sarah Leathers is a senior guard who has a chance to become the winningest Cougar ever (the Cougars have won 72 games the past 3 seasons, the career record for one player is 99) ... Has never missed a game in her 3-year Cougar career, appearing in all 101 games, starting 96 … Already owns the school-record for most 3-pointers in a career (enters season with 189) ... Is pursuing to become the first Cougar ever to record 1,400 points and 500 assists in a career ... Noted for her a good first step and solid defensive play … Needs 33 more steals to break the school career record of 319 and 139 assists to break the school career record of 556 ... Enters the season having made at least one 3-pointer in 20 straight games ... Should push for postseason honors.

2007: Played in all 32 games as a 2007 junior, starting 31 ... Averaged 8.4 points and team-highs of 2.9 steals and 5.4 assists (second in the GSAC) ... Recorded in 176 assists, third highest season total in program history ... Registered a career-high 14 assists, 1 shy of the school single-game record, in a Cougar victory over Point Loma Nazarene ... Opened the season with her first-ever double-double, tallying 13 points and 10 assists in a win over Central Washington ... Struggled with her perimeter shot most of the season but got hot toward the end, closing the campaign by averaging 10.6 points over the final 10 games which included a season-high 19 points in an NAIA Tournament first-round game vs. Langston University ... Matched her career-high with 7 steals in a win over Mt. Vernon Nazarene University.

2006: Enjoyed a breakthrough campaign as a 2006 sophomore, averaging 12.2 points and a team-high 3.7 assists ... Also topped the team with 83 3-pointers, second most in the GSAC last year and second-best single season total in program history ... Averaged 2.97 steals, second best in the GSAC ... Tallied 20 or more points 6 times, including a career-high 25 (to go along with 7 steals) in a win over Westmont ... Had 22 points and a season-high 9 assists in a victory at California Baptist ... Forced overtime vs. Biola with a 24-foot, nothing-but-net bomb as time expired ... Buried 7 treys in a game 3 different times ... Put together a 6-game stretch in mid-GSAC play where she averaged 18.5 points and 4.3 assists over the course of 2 weeks.

2005: Was 1 of 4 Cougars to appear in all 35 games … Made 31 starts … Averaged 7.5 points and 3.4 assists … Led the team with 120 assists and 94 steals … Buried 52 3-point field goals to lead all GSAC freshmen … Scored in double-figures 10 times … Set a season-high with 16 points in a win over Missouri Valley … Recorded 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists in win over Oklahoma City … Dished out a career-high 12 assists in win over William Jessup … Scored 15 points in win over GSAC rival Vanguard.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 years of varsity basketball at Pacifica High in Garden Grove, Calif., for head coach Garth Anderson … Was a 4-time All-Garden Grove League first team honoree while leading the Mariners to the past 4 of their 10 straight league titles … Was a 2-time All-CIF selection … Was a 4-time scholar athlete … As a 2004 senior was named MVP of the Orange County All-Star game, Garden Grove League MVP and finished fifth in scoring in Orange County … As a 2003 junior, led the Mariners to the CIF semifinals and finished sixth in scoring in the county … Played 2 years of varsity tennis, earning All-Garden Grove League honors as a 2004 senior … Played 1 year of varsity softball winning a CIF championship as a 2003 junior.

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 31, 1985, in Whitefish, Mont., to David and Cathy Leathers … Has 2 brothers (David, Aaron) and 2 sisters (Rachel, a sophomore guard with the Cougars, Elisha) … Her father, David Leathers, played basketball and baseball at Oklahoma Baptist University … Majoring in liberal studies.

THIS YEAR: One of 2 true freshmen on the Azusa Pacific roster, Jessica Raber is a fast, explosive athlete who gives the Cougars quality depth in the backcourt … Has a nice shooting touch that will complement Azusa Pacific’s dominant frontcourt … Rates as one of the top defenders on the team.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 3 varsity seasons at Alta Loma High, wrapping up her prep career as a 2-year captain for the Braves … Was a 2-time All-Baseline League second team selection … Averaged 15 points a game as a 2007 senior and won the 3-point shooting contest at the Inland Valley All-Star game.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 20, 1989, in Upland, Calif., to Robert and Linda Raber … Has 1 younger brother … Majoring in athletic training with a minor in business.

THIS YEAR: One of just 3 seniors on the team (Abby Johnson and Sarah Leathers are the others), guard Kate Shipp is expected to play a key role in the Cougar backcourt as either a starter or significant reserve ... Noted for her fearless approach to the game ... Has displayed marked improvement in her perimeter shooting and is expected to be a stronger offensive threat.

2007: Appeared in 29 of the Cougars’ 32 games during her 2007 junior season, her first in the program ... Came off the bench in each game, averaging 11 minutes of playing time ... Scored a season-high 12 points in a loss at California Baptist, making a trio of treys in the process ... In her most complete outing of the season, recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in 26 minutes of action in a win over San Diego Christian.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Played 2 seasons for head coach Matt Borchart at Solano Community College in Fairfield, Calif. ... Was a 2-time All-Bay Valley Conference and team MVP selection ... Led the Falcons to a 23-10 record as a 2006 sophomore.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 2 seasons of varsity basketball for head coach Darci Lewis at Napa (Calif.) High ... As a 2004 senior, led the Indians to a 21-6 record and the Monticello Empire League title ... Named All-Napa County and the school’s Female Athlete of the Year ... Also played 3 seasons of varsity soccer.

PERSONAL: Born Dec. 5, 1985, in Napa, Calif., to David (teacher) and Mary (teacher) Shipp ... Has a younger brother ... Her mom (swimming) and dad (football) were both athletes at Sacramento State ... Majoring in exercise & sport science ... Would like to be a teacher ... Enjoys skiing.