Nov. 19, 2001

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's basketball program signed five players to National Letters of Intent during the NCAA's early-signing period, which began Nov. 14.

The class already has garnered national recognition. Analyst Joe Smith of the Women's Basketball News Service has Purdue's Class of 2006 ranked fourth behind Duke, Connecticut and Arkansas.

Purdue head coach Kristy Curry feels this talented quintet will help solidify Purdue as one of the top programs in the nation.

"This is an impact-type class," Curry says. "These five players bring lots of versatility and give us depth at every position. We are very proud of how well we did in the state of Indiana, but we also are very excited by the fact that we signed national-caliber players, regardless of where they're from."

Carol Duncan, a native of Nappanee, Ind., averaged 17.3 points and 11.1 rebounds as a junior at NorthWood High School. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 13.7 points and 7.8 rebounds as a sophomore. As a freshman, Duncan played on the Panthers' Class 3A state championship-winning team.

Sabrina Keys, who hails from Fairfield, Calif., averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds as a junior at Berkeley High School. She earned honorable mention All-America honors from Street & Smith's, was named first team all-state and led Berkeley to a runner-up finish in the CIF state tournament. Keys, a 6-foot-1 forward, is ranked No. 91 by All-Star Girls Report, a prospect scouting service for college coaches.

Ashley Mays, a 5-foot-7 guard from Indianapolis, averaged 22 points and seven rebounds as a junior at Warren Central High School. A Nike All-America camp participant, honorable mention All-American by Street & Smith's and Indiana Junior All-Star, Mays is ranked No. 87 by All-Star Girls Report.

Missy Taylor, a native of Connersville, Ind., averaged 21.8 points and 9.8 rebounds as a junior at Connersville High School. She earned honorable mention All-America recognition from Street & Smith's and was named to the Indiana Junior All-Star team. During the summer of 2001, Taylor competed at Nike All-America Camp and earned AAU All-America honors. The 6-foot-2 forward is ranked No. 53 by All-Star Girls Report.

Indianapolis' Sharika Webb averaged 15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists as a junior at Cathedral High School, which went 27-1 and won the Class 3A state title in 2001. The 5-foot-8 guard was an Indiana Junior All-Star last season and participated in the Nike All-America Camp last summer. She has played in three consecutive state championship games, including the 1999 contest against Duncan's NorthWood team.

Purdue Women's Basketball Class of 2006
Carol Duncan	F	6-2	Nappanee, Ind. (NorthWood High School)
Sabrina Keys	F	6-1	Fairfield, Calif. (Berkeley High School)
Ashley Mays	G	5-7	Indianapolis, Ind. (Warren Central School)
Missy Taylor	F	6-2	Connersville, Ind. (Connersville High School)
Sharika Webb	G	5-8	Indianapolis, Ind. (Cathedral High School)

Purdue Head Coach Kristy Curry Quotes On Signees

Carol Duncan

"Carol has size and strength, and she can definitely help solidify our inside. She is a scorer, a rebounder and can get up and down the floor quickly in transition."

Sabrina Keys

"Sabrina is athletic. She is a very good interior defender and rebounder. She comes from a great high school program at Berkeley, so she knows how to compete at a high level."

Ashley Mays

"Ashley is very quick and athletic. She is a very good slasher and penetrator. She knows how to get to the foul line."

Missy Taylor

"Missy will give us size on the perimeter. She is very versatile - she is a pure shooter and a great penetrator. Additionally, she is a great competitor and a true winner."

Sharika Webb

"Sharika brings size, strength and athleticism that you rarely find in a 1-2 combo guard. She comes from a great high school program in Indianapolis Cathedral, so she knows what it takes to win."

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