17 local athletes make commitments to colleges

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 11:31 a.m.

Sara Bausher, Bonanza, Softball, Louisville

Justin Burns, Bishop Gorman, Basketball, Boise St.

Jason Carter, Bishop Gorman, Basketball, Colorado

Jayme Connors, Silverado, Basketball, Long Beach St.

John DiBetta, Durango/CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech

Jake Dittler, Green Valley, Baseball, Cal-State Northridge

Nate Fouts, Bishop Gorman/CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech

Katie Kaempfer, Bonanza, Softball, Syracuse

Danny Kahr, Durango, Baseball, UC-Irvine

Jen Kline, Bishop Gorman, Basketball, South Florida

Ben Quinto, Bishop Gorman/CCSN, Baseball, San Diego

Tisha Salamino, Durango, Softball, Sienna

Aja Sherman, Durango, Softball, Louisville

Jon Slack, Green Valley/CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech

Grant Stanley, Foothill, Baseball, Duke

Amad Stephens, CCSN, Baseball, Oral Roberts

Joe Wagner, CCSN, Baseball, Texas Tech

Sitting among 38,000 screaming football fans at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., Jen Kline knew she'd found her college home.

So after returning from a weekend trip to the University of South Florida, the Bishop Gorman senior signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to play basketball for the Bulls.

Of course, seeing USF upset Western Kentucky in the school's homecoming football game last Saturday was just the tip of the iceberg for Kline, one of Nevada's top returning girls basketball players.

"I enjoyed being there with the team, and I got along with the coaches. They really welcomed me and made me feel comfortable around them," Kline said. "And I want to be an elementary school teacher, and their education program is wonderful."

The 6-1 Kline was a member of the Sun's All-State first team after a sophomore season in which she averaged 21 points and eight rebounds and helped the Basic Wolves to a 19-8 record and an appearance in the 4A State Tournament.

After beginning last season with the Wolves, Kline transferred to Gorman, where Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association rules require her to sit out 180 days before competing. She will be eligible to play again in January, when the Gaels begin their conference season.

"It's been tough (not playing), but I enjoy being there, and I enjoy the education I'm getting there."

Kline, who is expected to compete for the Bulls' starting two-guard spot, earned an invitation to the prestigious adidas Top 10 Camp last summer in Pittsburgh -- an event that brought the nation's top 200 girls players together. The USF coaching staff first took note of Kline there and began recruiting her to come to the Conference USA school.

"I'm really close with my family; both sets of grandparents live within two miles of me, so it's tough going across the country," Kline said. "But I felt like when I get there, the team will be my family."

Kline headlined a list of more than 15 local athletes who signed with colleges on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.

As expected, Gorman's Jason Carter, a 6-9 center considered the state's top basketball prospect, made good on his verbal commitment to Colorado, signing with the Buffaloes. A member of the Sun's All-State first team last year, Carter averaged 14 points, 12.5 rebounds and three blocks for the 4A state champs.

Another Gael, forward Justin Burns, chose Boise State. The 6-7 senior will play his first season for Gorman this winter after spending the past two years out of state.

Silverado's Jayme Connors, a 6-1 center, became Southern Nevada's second girls basketball signee, inking a letter with Long Beach State. Connors earned second-team all-state honors last season after helping the Skyhawks into the 4A State Tournament.

Wednesday also saw a slew of baseball commitments, including six from the Community College of Southern Nevada's second-year program.

Four players -- second baseman John DiBetta, pitcher Nate Fouts, outfielder Jon Slack and first baseman Joe Wagner -- signed with Big 12 school Texas Tech. Shortstop Ben Quinto chose San Diego, and pitcher Amad Stephens selected Oklahoma's Oral Roberts.

"It's our first class, and to get six on the first day is great," said Coyotes coach Tim Chambers, whose squad finished 48-10 last year and was ranked 16th nationally. "We're really excited about it, and we should have another 10 kids go D-I out of this (sophomore) group."

DiBetta, a Durango product, earned first-team all-region honors after batting .430 with eight homers, 28 doubles and 88 RBIs last spring. Slack, a Green Valley graduate, was named second-team all-region after hitting .452 with 22 doubles, 22 stolen bases and 68 RBIs.

Fouts, a Gorman grad, went 11-0 with a 2.13 ERA last spring, while Wagner, an Idaho native, batted .397 with 13 homers, 15 doubles and 69 RBIs. Quinto, another Gorman product, hit .390 with 20 doubles and 20 steals for CCSN last year. Stephens, who hails from San Diego, went 6-2 with a 2.96 as a closer for the Coyotes.

"I'm excited for the kids, and it shows if you go to a junior college and improve on your skills, the opportunity to go to a big-time college is there for you," Chambers said.

Also signing on Wednesday were three local prep baseball players: Green Valley pitcher Jake Dittler with Cal-State Northridge, Durango catcher Danny Kahr with UC-Irvine and Foothill shortstop Grant Stanley with Duke.

Dittler, a right-hander, went 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA for the Gators last spring. Kahr batted .254 with 17 RBIs and nine doubles. Stanley hit .548 with four homers, 37 RBIs and just eight strikeouts in 73 at-bats.

Day one of the early signing period also saw a strong showing by area softball stars.

Bonanza shortstop Sara Bausher, a member of the Sun's All-State first team last spring, chose Louisville, as did Durango pitcher Aja Sherman. Bausher hit .481 with five homers and 20 RBIs last spring, while Sherman went 10-5 with 154 strikeouts in 119.2 innings.

Bonanza catcher Katie Kaempfer, who hit .459 with 27 RBIs for the Bengals last year, signed with Syracuse. Durango pitcher Tisha Salamino (11-8 in 2000) selected Siena College.