Nov. 10, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Two prep standouts have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at the University of Missouri and play basketball, Head Coach Robin Pingeton announced on Wednesday. The signing class includes Bree Fowler, a 5-10 wing from Kansas City, Mo., and Kyley Simmons, a 5-7 guard from Council Bluffs, Iowa.
"We are very excited to have Bree Fowler and Kyley Simmons joining our family," Pingeton said. "I believe they will both make an immediate and positive impact on and off the court. They understand our vision and expectations of this program and are very excited to help build this program into something very special."
A native of Kansas City, Bree Fowler plays for Coach Melissa Krog Savaiinaea at Staley High School. She helped the Lady Falcons to a 20-8 record a year ago and advance to the Class 4A quarterfinals in only the program's second season. Fowler averaged 13.0 points and 5.0 rebounds as a junior, en route to spots on the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Class 4A All-State second team, Kansas City Star All-Northland Conference first team, in addition to all-district first team accolades in 2010. Fowler played at Oak Park High School as a freshman and is a member of the Missouri Valley Blazers club team.
As a junior last season under Coach Chris Hanafan, Simmons helped lead Lewis Central High School to an 18-5 and an appearance in the regional finals. The point guard averaged 16.5 points and led Class 4A in assists (6.2) steals (4.7) during the 2009-10 season. Her efforts earned Simmons spots on the Iowa Newspaper Association Class 4A All-State second team and Iowa Girls Coaches Association All-State third team. Additionally, Simmons is a two-time All-Hawkeye Ten Conference first team honoree. She also holds Lewis Central records for points in a game (34), steals in a game (12), assists in a game (11) and points in a season (380). Simmons plays club basketball for the Cornhusker Shooting Stars Bison/Judds team.
"Bree and Kyley have a great understanding of the game and will fit very well in our style of play," Pingeton said. "We want to be an extremely up tempo team and they will both thrive in our system. They both have a passion to play, they understand the importance of team and are self-motivated. Not only have they been successful on the basketball court but off the court as well. They are winners and class acts."