Nov. 14, 2002
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women's basketball head coach Jim Tomey has announced the signings today of two high school seniors to national letters of intent. Guards Michelle Elliott (Pasco, Wash.) and Courtney Fritz (Newberg, Ore.) will join the Aztecs in the fall of 2003.
"With the two players that we signed, we feel that we've really added to the basketball I.Q. of our program," Tomey said. "We signed two girls who have a great feel for how to play the game and their greatest attribute is their ability to strengthen and bond the group that is out on the floor - they're leaders.
"I feel terrific about them both as people and players. They are the kind of student-athletes that we want to bring into San Diego State to help us build this program."
A 5-11 shooting guard, Elliott averaged 18.2 points per game her junior season, earning first team all-conference honors twice at Pasco High School. Under head coach Steve Davis, Pasco has advanced to the state 4A tournament two of the last three seasons, placing eighth her freshman year.
"Michelle Elliott is the kind of player who can help a program immediately with her overall knowledge on how to play the game and her ability to shoot the ball," Tomey said. "She can keep a defense honest, because they have to get up and play her, giving her the option to drive to the basket."
Elliott has also earned varsity letters in track and soccer, playing alongside twin sister Nicole. During the off season, Elliott has competed for Northwest Sagebrush Hoops since 1999.
"I just clicked with the coaches," said Elliott about her decision to attend San Diego State. "Coach Tomey is a lot like my coach, Mike Hodgins, in that they both care more about you as a person and not just as a player. There is a certain level of respect there and (the coaches) have an intense amount of passion for the game."
Fritz, a 5-8 point guard, was the first player to orally commit to SDSU in mid-September under first-year head coach Tomey. She has averaged 12 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game her sophomore and junior seasons, helping Jesuit High School (Portland, Ore.) to the Oregon state 4A semifinals in 2001 and 2002.
"I chose to come to San Diego State, because I had a very good comfort-level with the coaches," Fritz said. "They were very sincere and I knew I could trust and be comfortable with them for four years. I know that they will be able to help me grow as a player and as I person. I also am happy that I will be able to make an immediate impression on the program."
An adidas All-American in 2002, Fritz is a two-time, first team all-league selection, leading Jesuit in scoring each of the past two seasons en-route to state all-tournament honors. Fritz was named to the state third team as a junior and has earned three letters in track, while playing travel basketball for the Portland Elite Basketball Organization (PEBO) Lady Legends.
"Courtney is one of the finer shooters that we saw all summer," Tomey said. "She is a very flexible player, who can handle the point guard position if called upon, but also has ability to play the two spot. She's similar to (current Aztec senior) Jamey Cox, who we're going to lose to graduation after this season. Courtney should be able to step in and fill those shoes."