NDSU Women's Basketball Adds Brooke LeMar, Marena Whittle to Roster
6/25/2012 2:54:00 PM | Women's Basketball
North Dakota State University head women's basketball coach Carolyn DeHoff announced today that 5-foot-6 junior point guard Brooke LeMar (Southern Illinois/Canyon Country, Calif./Canyon High School) and 5-foot-11 small forward Marena Whittle (Vermont South, Victoria, Australia/ Caulfield Grammar School) will attend NDSU and join the Bison this fall to play basketball.
LeMar joins the Bison after transferring from Southern Illinois University, located in Carbondale, Ill. She will sit out next season due to NCAA transfer rules and have two years of eligibility remaining.
“This spring has been busy for our staff and players,” said Coach DeHoff. “We are reaping the benefits of our labor having both of these talented young ladies join our program.”
“The addition of point guard Brooke LeMar is a great get for our transition game. Although Brooke will sit out this coming year, she will benefit greatly competing daily against Katie (Birkel) and Kahla (Becken). Brooke played significant minutes in the Missouri Valley Conference and we're thrilled she is bringing that experience to North Dakota State University.”
During her Canyon High School career, LeMar was a 2010 McDonald's All-America nominee. ESPN Hoopgurlz ranked Top-100 guard for 2010. She helped lead her team to the first Foothill League title since 1973 in her senior season. LeMar led her team in assists each of her four seasons.
LeMar was named the Foothill League Player of the Year, All-SVC Player of the Year, All-CIF Southern Section Div II-AA First-Team, Daily News All-Area First-Team in her senior season while averaging 14.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.7 steals per game.
As a junior, LeMar averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 assists per game in leading Canyon to an 18-10 record, earning first-team All-Santa Clarita Valley All-Area and All-League honors. She also earned first team all-area honors and all-league as a sophomore.
LeMar played with FBC National Program, a highly regarded AAU organization, under Ray Mayes and earned MVP honors at both the Adidas Super 64 National Championship and Adidas Summertime Invitational in 2008.
While at Southern Illinois University, LeMar started in 40 of 60 games played and logged over 1500 minutes, averaging 25 minutes per game. In two seasons, she dished out 194 assists to crack the Saluki's record books.
Born and raised in California, Brooke is the daughter of John and Laura LeMar. She has an older brother, John, an older sister, Christie, and a twin brother, James.
“Coach (Tom) Goehle's recruitment in Austrailia the past two springs has brought us a talented small forward from Victoria in Marena,” said DeHoff. “We're excited to blend her talents at the international level with our current players.”
Whittle will come to NDSU from down under, Australia. During her Caulfield Grammar School career, Whittle led her team to the 2008-2010 Basketball APS Championships. Caulfield Grammar School was awarded Bronze (2009) and Silver (2010) medals in the National School Championships.
Whittle was recognized as the 2011 MVP. Throughout her high school career Whittle has been named as Vic Metro Top 20 Players 2008-2012. Playing on the national stage, Whittle received a Gold Medal in 2009 with Vic Metro Under 16. In 2010, Whittle received a Silver Medal averaging 12 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in the National State Secondary Schools Championship.
Playing for Nunawading Spectres, club basketball, Whittle led her team to the Girls D-League Top 4 finalists in 2011. Currently, Whittle and Nunawading Spectres are at the top of their league and will be entering playoffs in August 2012.
Marena is daughter of Malcolm and Mary Whittle. She has two older sisters; Amy and Tahlia, and an older brother, Jordan.
The Bison signed 6-foot wing/forward Holly Johnson (Minot, N.D./Minot H.S.) and 5-foot-9
guard Brittany Wiebe (Brandon, Manitoba/Crocus Plains Regional Secondary) in November 2011 during the NCAA early signing period.
North Dakota State finished with an 11-20 record in 2012, including an 8-10 fifth place showing in The Summit League standings.
