Samantha York, a senior at Elsberry High School in Elsberry, Missouri has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and basketball careers at Avila University.

In averaging 19.2 points and 8.1 rebounds so far in her senior season, York has led her team into

contention for an Eastern Missouri Conference championship. The 5'-9" guard and team captain

has been named unanimously as All-County, All-District and All-Conference after every season

of her high school career. She also has been recognized as All-Area and All-State each year as

well as earning a McDonald's All-American nomination as a senior. She currently ranks no

lower than 4th in all EMC statistical categories, including: scoring (1st), 3-point shooting (1st),

free throw percentage (1st), steals (2nd), assists (3rd), rebounds (3rd) and blocks (4th).

"Sam has the ability to impact our program and our conference as soon as she sets foot on

campus. She is a very versatile player with a wide array of skills that make her a difficult matchup.

She is one of the state's best 3-point shooters, but is strong enough to penetrate and finish at

the rim as well. Though a bit undersized at 5'-9", she has the strength to be solid rebounder, post

defender and back-to-the-basket scorer. More impressive than her skills, though, are her desire,

competitiveness and intelligence. She has a tremendous understanding of the game and an

extremely high basketball I.Q. Sam's experience and success in high school have prepared her

well for life at the college level. We are very pleased to add a person of such high caliber to our

program and look for great things from her in the future."

Also an All-State softball player, Samantha's successes are not limited to athletics. Along with

being named Academic All-State and Academic All-Conference, she has also received Scholar

Athlete and Academic Award of Excellence recognition all four years of high school. She will

pursue a degree in sports science at Avila.

Avila University competes on the NAIA, Division I level within the prestigious Heart of

America Athletic Conference. Avila is a private, co-educational, values-based liberal arts

institution founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1917 and is located at 119th and

Wornall Road in southwest suburban Kansas City, Missouri.