May 23, 2008
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University head women’s basketball coach Jason Martens announced on Friday the signing of four student-athletes to national letters of intent to join the Rattlers, starting with the 2008-09 academic year. Joining the Rattlers is: Converse native DeAnna Patterson, San Antonio native Lesleigh Phillips, Houston native Amber Sophus and Stockdale native Whitney Wehmeyer.
Patterson (Fr., Converse) was a three-sport athlete for coach Mel Dixon at Roosevelt High School, competing in basketball, volleyball and cross-country. On the basketball court she was a three-time all-district honoree and earned all-region once as well. She was named all-tournament at five tournaments over the last five years. She helped RHS to the 2006-07 area playoffs and the 2007-08 bi-district title. Off the court she was a National Merit Scholar and Academic All-State.
Phillips (Fr., San Antonio) comes to St. Mary’s after a strong high school career at John Paul Stevens High School. She was a two-time all-district pick for coach Steve Sulestine. She helped SHS to a district runner-up finish, as well as area and bi-district championships. A strong all-around athlete, she also competed on the Stevens track and field squad. Off the court she was a member of the Honor Roll.
Sophus (Fr., Houston) was an all-state performer for coach Fernando Villasana at St. Pius X High School. She was a two-time first team all-district selection and earned second team all-state each of her last two years at the school. She helped St. Pius X to the state playoffs as a junior and senior, including a 24-7 record and state regional finals appearance her senior season. Off the court she was a member of the Honor Roll.
Wehmeyer (So., Stockdale) comes to St. Mary’s after playing for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. As a freshman she helped ORU advance to the NCAA Tournament, playing in 29 games, including 14 starts. She averaged 3.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. She reached double figures in scoring three times: against Northern Colorado, Central Arkansas and against Missouri State, where she scored a season high 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds for her first career double-double. Prior to arriving in Tulsa, she was a four-time all-state pick for coach Peggy Hosek at Poth High School. She scored 2,755 points and started every game except one in four years. She earned district MVP honors as a sophomore and junior, was the 2006-07 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Player of the Year and earned state tournament MVP honors as a senior. She helped lead Poth to the state tournament three times, including the state championship as a senior. Off the court she was her class valedictorian, a member of the Honor Roll and Academic All-State.
St. Mary’s won a school record 24 straight games during the 2007-08 season on their way to a 25-5 overall record. They won the Heartland Conference regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA South Central Region Tournament for the second time in three years. Natalie Gamez (Jr., San Antonio) was named Heartland Conference Player of the Year, while Mallory Moeller (Fr., Seguin) was named Freshman of the Year and Martens was picked as the Coach of the Year. St. Mary’s returns four of five starters from the 2007-08 team.