Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Basketball Inks Four to Letters of Intent
November 14, 2001 | Cowgirl Basketball
Nov. 14, 2001
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's women's basketball team has signed four players to National Letters of Intent it was announced on Wednesday.
A quartet of in-state recruits, Lori Allen, Meghan Craig, Cara Painter and Melissa Steen, all cast their lot with the Cowgirls on the first day of the early signing period.
"These four girls give us a great start to our recruiting class. They are all very talented and they will each have a chance to make an impact on the program," Cowgirl Head Coach Dick Halterman said.
Allen was named honorable mention all-state and was a first-team Big All-City pick by the Daily Oklahoman last season. As a junior, she averaged 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per contest for Moore High School.
Allen averaged 17.8 points per game as a sophomore and was an honorable mention all-state pick in the state's largest class (6A).
"I felt it was the place for me and I felt at home in Stillwater," Allen said. "It is unbelievable to get to play in the Big 12. It is one of the toughest leagues in the country and you have to be ready to play every night."
Craig started her career in impressive fashion, earning first-team Big All-City honors from the Daily Oklahoman and garnering MVP honors at the state tournament as a freshman after leading Westmoore High to the Class 6A title.
As a junior, the 5-11 forward averaged 12.8 points, hitting 57 percent of her shots, and 5.4 rebounds per contest to go along with 52 steals on her way to honorable mention all-state honors. She was rated as the No. 12 wing player in the nation and the 102nd-ranked player overall by the All-Star Girls Report.
Craig has twice been named to the Mid-State All-Conference squad and was chosen as a member of the all-tournament teams at both the Jaguar Classic and Jenks Invitational last year.
"I felt comfortable there and really enjoyed my visit and the atmosphere. I think they (OSU) are a great team and fun to watch. I am excited to be going there," Craig said.
Painter led Chisholm High to a season of firsts as a junior last season. Fueled by her 16 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest, the Longhorns posted a 21-7 mark and qualified for their first-ever state tournament.
The 89er Conference Player of the Year, Painter also led the squad to its first regional and conference championships. In addition to honorable mention all-state honors, she also earned MVP honors at the Wheat Capital Tournament after leading CHS to its first title at the event since 1974.
The 6-3 center made 59 percent of her shots last season, including 57 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Painter converted on 80 percent of her free-throw attempts to go along with 85 blocked shots on the season.
"I liked the coaches and the school seemed like a good place for me. I think it will be a lot of hard work, but the next four years will be a lot of fun," Painter said.
Melissa Steen rounds out the talent crop. The Altus High product averaged 13 points per game last season, hitting at a 63 percent clip from the field. Steen also pulled down 7.2 rebounds per game and was an All-Southern Conference selection in addition to earning honorable mention all-state honors.
A 6-2 post player, Steen was named to the all-tournament teams at both the Lady Bulldog Classic in Altus and the Carl Albert Tournament as a junior.
Steen was tops in the state in shooting percentage as a sophomore, knocking down 68.7 percent of her shots, and averaged 8.9 points per game.
"I liked the campus and what the basketball program had to offer. I always wanted to play at the Division I level and playing in the Big 12 Conference, because it is so tough, is where I wanted to be."
