CMU women's basketball adds three recruits, creating five-player freshman class
Central Michigan coach Heather Oesterle coaches during a timeout against Bowling Green Feb. 15 at McGuirk Arena.
Central Michigan women's basketball officially announced the addition of three recruits for its 2021 recruiting class on Tuesday, bringing the number of incoming freshmen to five heading into the 2021-22 season.
Guards Lisa Tesson and Karrington Gordon, along with forward Rebekah Gordon, were announced by the program as new signees. The trio joins guards Tiana Timpe and Hanna Knoll, who signed in November during the early signing period.
"They can run, they can shoot, they're athletic -- very, very skilled," coach Heather Oesterle said in a press release. "They have the ability to get to the basket, can shoot the three. We have a post player who can step outside in Rebekah Gordon; Tesson is a very, very quick point guard with speed and who sees the floor really well; and Karrington Gordon is very athletic. She can dunk a tennis ball."
Tesson is a 5-foot-7 guard from Ontario, Canada. She comes from Royal Crown Academic School, where she averaged 12.5 points per game and earned team MVP honors during the 2019-20 season.
Karrington Gordon comes from Lincoln Park High School and set a school record with 44 points in the first round of the MHSAA playoffs. The 6-foot guard was named to the All-Downriver League team three times and to MLive's dream team in 2021. She committed to CMU on April 15.
Rebekah Gordon is a 6-foot-1 forward from New Boston, Indiana. Gordon decommitted from Auburn after the termination of head coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. Gordon averaged 19.4 points and eight rebounds per game as a senior, was named The Evansville Courier & Press Southwestern Indiana Player of the Year and earned third team All-State honors by the IBCA as a senior.
"It's definitely a group that gets it done on the court and in the classroom and puts the extra time in in both areas," Oesterle said. "They definitely fit the championship culture that we have established here."
The Chippewas are losing three established senior veterans, most notably Micaela Kelly, who is second all-time in scoring and was drafted 21st overall in the WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. Maddy Watters, who ranks among the program's best 3-point shooters, and forward Kyra Bussell are also graduating.
CMU does return first team All-MAC guard Molly Davis, along with center Jahari Smith. The duo started every game this season. Junior wing Anika Weekes also returns, having started four games last season.
Reserve guards Kalle Martinez also returns, as does the four-person freshman class from 2020 in forwards Sydney Graber, Rachel Loobie and Maryama Turkstra along with guard Carlee Crabtree.
Redshirt junior guard Sophia Karasinski entered the transfer portal on March 26.
