RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University women’s basketball head coach Chrissy Roberts has added two signees for the 2016-17 season, Roberts announced today.
Junior point guard Marcella Rocha will join the Colonels next season, along with junior center Madison Wood.
“Our staff is very excited about the addition of Marcella to our women’s basketball family,” Roberts said. “She comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge. She will be a huge asset at the point guard position.”
Rocha joins the Colonels following two seasons at the College of Central Florida. She averaged 14.4 points-per-game for the season and her 16.3 points-per-game in league play ranked sixth in the Region 8 rankings. Rocha scored in double digits 16 times this season—six of which were more than 20-point performances—along with a season-high 30 points against Hillsborough Community College on January 20.
Rocha, a 5-foot-3 point guard, logged more than 30 minutes-per-game through conference play and finished the season averaging 4.9 rebounds-per-game and 5.3 assists-per-game for the Patriots. She tallied 93 steals on the year, along with 121 assists.
She earned a Mid-Florida Conference All-First Team selection and was chosen to the Florida College Systems Activities Association of Athletics All-State/National Junior College Association of Athletics Region 8 All-State Team last season.
“She is an extremely hard worker who takes pride in being a leader on and off the court,” Roberts said. “Marcella will bring a style that will be very fun to watch. She has a very bright future and we are very fortunate she chose EKU.”
As a freshman, Rocha set a single-game program record for the Patriots with seven three-pointers in their win over Eastern Florida State. Rocha is a product of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Wood will also join the Colonels next season. Wood earned second team All-America honors following her sophomore season at Kirkwood Community College after leading the Eagles in points, rebounds and blocks. She shot 53.3 percent from the floor and also picked up first team all-region honors.
“Post presence is what we have been needing and Madison will bring it,” said Roberts. “She fills the void this program has been missing the past couple of years. Madison’s length in the paint will be a difference maker for us on the defensive end and will create more rebounding and scoring opportunities for us on the offensive end. She will thrive in our style of play. She runs the floor extremely well and can score in many different ways.”
Wood, a 6-foot-3 center from Waterloo, Iowa, averaged 11.3 points-per-game, 6.1 rebounds-per-game and 2.1 blocks-per-game for Kirkwood and helped the Eagles to a 27-6 record and the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference title. Wood ranked third in the league in field-goal percentage, eighth in rebounds and third in blocked shots.
“Madison has a bright future here at EKU and we’re ecstatic she has given us the opportunity to watch her grow,” Roberts added. “Not only is she a talent on the floor, but she is an unbelievable person as well. She is a perfect fit for our family and she will be fun to watch.”
EKU (18-12, 10-6 OVC) fell to Belmont in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship in March.