Saint Louis head women’s basketball coach Lisa Stone has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend the University and play for the Billikens beginning next fall.
The new Billikens are 5-foot-10 guard/forward Lia Enos (Tuscaloosa, Ala./Tuscaloosa Academy), 5-11 guard/forward Rachel Kent (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West H.S.) and 5-10 guard Julia Martinez(Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy).
Lia Enos • G/F • 5-10 • Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Tuscaloosa Academy)
Completing her prep career at Tuscaloosa Academy after playing her sophomore and junior campaigns at Shiloh Christian High School in Springdale, Arkansas … earned All-State, All-Conference and team Most Valuable Player honors last season, averaging 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists and shooting 87 percent from the free throw line … as a sophomore, averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists, made the All-Conference team and was Shiloh Christian’s MVP … played AAU ball for the Arkansas Banshees and Woodz Elite … also an accomplished soccer and volleyball player … competed for the Tulsa Soccer Club Hurricanes in the Elite Clubs National League and earned All-State and All-Conference accolades as a sophomore at Shiloh Christian … this fall at Tuscaloosa Academy, was selected to the Alabama Independent School Association All-Star volleyball team by AISA coaches … National Honor Society member since 2016.
Stone on Enos: “Lia is a player who understands how to work hard, hustle and do whatever it takes to win. She is a coach’s kid – her father, Dan, is the offensive coordinator for Alabama football – who understands the team concept and the value of being coachable. Lia will score, defend, rebound and win “hustle” points for us. We welcome her and her family to our Billiken family with open arms.”
Rachel Kent • G/F • 5-11 • Des Plaines, Ill. (Maine West H.S.)
A three-time Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State choice, earning a second-team nod as a junior and third-team honors as a freshman and sophomore … also collected Daily Herald All-Area and All-Conference plaudits in each of her first three seasons … participated in the USA Basketball Olympic Trials and was named a U.S. Junior Nationals All-Star … a two-time team captain who began her senior season with 1,177 points (10th in school history), 452 rebounds, 160 assists, 159 steals and 39 blocks … shoots 45 percent from the field overall, 38 percent from 3-point range and 79 percent from the free throw line … helped Maine West finish third in the 2018 Illinois Class 4A state tournament … also competes for the Midwest Elite AAU team.
Stone on Kent: “Rachel is a true ‘X’ factor for her team. She can score in a multitude of ways, and she defends every position on the floor. Rachel just ‘gets it done.’ She is strong and physical, has a great basketball IQ and always puts the team first. We enthusiastically welcome Rachel and her family to our Billiken family.”
Julia Martinez • G • 5-10 • Chicago, Ill. (Loyola Academy)
Has two IBCA All-State honors to her credit, collecting first-team accolades as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore … also is a two-time All-Area and two-time All-Conference selection … last year, was tabbed Player of the Year by Century Media 22 and JWC Media in addition to earning a spot on thePioneer Press All-Area first team … made the All-Tournament team at the 2017 Naples Holiday Tournament … team captain and MVP as a sophomore and junior, helping Loyola Academy win the regional title both years … averaged 10.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists (best in the state) and 3.4 steals over the past two seasons and set school records for most assists in a career (539) and season (210) … member of the Illinois Lady Lightning AAU team … named a U.S. Junior Nationals All-Star.
Stone on Martinez: “Julia is a strong, fast, rebounding point guard who can defend extremely well. She sees the floor very well and delivers passes to open players with precision. Julia can score by getting to the basket and from the perimeter. She makes every player around her better. We’re excited to welcome Julia and her family to our Billiken family.”
