Lady ‘Rockers ink versatile guard from Arizona

By Brad Blume

Sports Information Director

RAPID CITY --- South Dakota School of Mines women’s basketball team along with head coach Barb Felderman are pleased to announce to signing of new recruit Ariel Granillo to the SDM program for the 2008-09 season.

Granillo comes from Chandler Ariz., and is looking to fill a guard slot for the Lady Hardrockers.

Playing for the Chandler Lady Wolves, Granillo helped her team become the Arizona 5A state runners-up. In her four years on the hoops team at Chandler, the Wolves had an impressive win-loss record of 91-33 and had been to the state tournament all four years also.

“Ariel is quick, can penetrate both directions and is able to finish.  She can run either the one-guard or two-guard positions and can nail the three,” Felderman said. “She is a spirited player and takes pride on playing tough defense.”

 After her senior season, Granillo was named the Arizona All State Second Team and was also a member of the Arizona South West All Star squad and earned Fiesta First Team All Region Honors as well.

“There were many coaches after her, but she wanted engineering,” Felderman said. “She was like finding a needle in a haystack. After I began recruiting her I learned that some of her relatives had gone to school here and had a great experience.”

The Hardrockers will be in need of a versatile guard after losing three very talented athletes to graduation this spring in Melanie Vedvei, Amber Deweerd and Jennie Malone. Felderman added that Granillo’s style of play fits into the system in place at the SD School of Mines.

“Ariel loves basketball,” the head coach said. “She has a passion for the game and will bring energy to the court. She is also just a great person and I am excited to have her.”

The Lady Hardrockers season starts when they play host to the GPAC/DAC Challenge Oct. 31 and Nov.1 at the King Center in Rapid City.