Ben Lister recruited distance shooter Shea Shoemaker to Barton Community College two years ago when he was an assistant coach for the Lady Cougars.
Lister has now recruited Shoemaker to Baker University, an NAIA school in Baldwin City that competes in the Heart of America Conference.
Shoemaker, a 5-foot-11 sophomore guard, signed a letter of intent to play for Lister, who is entering his second year as the Wildcats’ head coach.
“I spent quite a bit of time recruiting her again this year,” Lister said. “We’ve been able to sign nine new players for next year, and Shea brings a level of athleticism that we need.
“Her size at 5-11, she can play the 3 (position) effectively at our level. In our high-low offense, she can shoot the 3 and we’re a team that sometimes runs a four-guard lineup.”
Shoemaker knocked down 34 of 89 3-pointers for 38.2 percent to lead Barton in those categories last winter.
“She can stretch the defense,” Lister said of the Minneapolis native. “Shea’s a player that not only can create for herself, but she can also create for her teammates.
“Shea has the ability to score at this level … very skilled and she will definitely help us offensively, something we lacked this past season.”
Shoemaker averaged 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and dished out 55 assists — second on the team behind point guard Erin Copeland — during her second season at Barton.
The Lady Cougars finished 18-13 overall, including 8-8 in the rugged Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division.
Shoemaker joins St. John product, former Barton teammate and returning leading scorer Alisha Fanshier at Baker.
Fanshier led the Wildcats with a 14.5 scoring average this past season. Fanshier also led Baker in assists and ranked second in steals.