Buffs Sign Four To NLI's

BOULDER ? Janeesa “Chucky” Jeffery, Brenna Malcolm-Peck, Meagan Malcolm-Peck and Melissa MacFarlane have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball and continue their education at the University of Colorado in 2009-10, CU head coach Kathy McConnell-Miller announced Thursday during the NCAA early signing period.

“This is a class of impact,” McConnell-Miller said of her 2009 class whose three Colorado signees are the largest contingent from the state to come to CU since 1997. “This is a great indication of the direction of our program is headed to be able to keep the best Colorado players home. Chucky, Meagan, Brenna and Melissa can come in and immediately make a difference.”

Jeffery, a 5-10 guard from Colorado Springs, Colo., was a Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post Class 4A All-State second team selection as a junior. She's led Sierra to back-to-back Colorado Springs Metro League titles, advancing her team to the Class 4A State Quarterfinals in both seasons. Jeffery guided the Stallions to a 22-4 record and a berth in the Class 4A Great Eight last year averaging 19.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.6 steals, 3.8 assists and 1.8 blocks per game. Jeffery was named the 2008 Colorado Springs Gazette Big Schools Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She had 18 double-doubles as a junior and even added one triple double logging 20 points, 10 rebounds and 12 steals in a game against Lincoln High School.

“Chucky Jeffery is an extremely athletic guard that will make a significant impact in our backcourt,” McConnell-Miller said. “She is versatile, skilled, and has a great understanding of the game. She has an awareness and court savvy that will allow her to come in as a freshman and compete immediately. She has the physical tools and mental toughness to compete in the Big 12 Conference. She sets the standard for the type of players we want in our program.”

The Malcolm-Peck twins, each standing 6-2 and playing the guard/forward spot, are Boulder natives gearing up for their senior season at Horizon High School in Thornton. Brenna and Meagan played their first two prep seasons at ThunderRidge High School, before transferring to Horizon for the 2007-08 school year. Last season, the twins helped Horizon to an 18-7 record and the Class 5A Front Range League title. The Hawks advanced to the Sweet 16 of the Colorado 5A State Tournament in 2008.

“It has pleasure for me and my staff to get to know Meagan and Brenna and the entire Malcolm-Peck family throughout the recruiting process,” McConnell-Miller said. “It is a special day to officially welcome them into the CU family. We have been watching them since we first arrived in Boulder and knew they were the perfect fit for our program.”

Brenna averaged 12 points, ranking eighth in the Front Range League, and five rebounds, ranking ninth, as a junior for Horizon. She shot 54 percent from the floor and averaged 1.8 steals and 1.4 assists for the Hawks last season. An honorable mention pick to the 2008 All-Front Range League team, Brenna is rated as the 24^th best forward in America and 97^th overall by ESPN Hoopgurlz and the 122^nd overall player according to the All-Star Girls Report. She averaged 8.3 points for ThunderRidge as a sophomore in 2007 and 5.2 points as a freshman in 2006.

Meagan earned honorable mention to the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post Class 5A All-State team as a junior. A 2008 All-Front Range League selection, Meagan led the circuit in rebounding as a junior at nearly eight per game and was third in scoring at 13 per contest. She hit 59 percent from the floor as a junior and also averaged 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Meagan is rated the 22^nd best forward in the country and 95^th overall by ESPN Hoopgurlz and 121st by the All-Star Girls Report. She played in the “The Show,” Colorado's annual All-Star Girls Basketball game at the Pepsi Center this past March. Meagan averaged 11.5 points per game as a sophomore at ThunderRidge in 2007 and 5.1 points as a freshman in 2006.

“They are dedicated to being the best possible student-athlete,” McConnell-Miller added. “There is no doubt in a very short time that Meagan and Brenna will elevate this program with their contributions on and off the floor. They are very skilled players and have a work ethic that is second to none. They bring a mentality that coaches dream about.”

MacFarlane, a 6-7 center from Omaha, Neb., who will be the tallest player in CU women's basketball history, will look to lead Millard North High School back to the Nebraska Class A State Tournament in 2009. She averaged 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior for the Mustangs who finished 21-5 and placed third in the 2008 state tournament, the team's first appearance since 2001. McFarlane earned Associated Press Class A All-State second team honors and was an honorable mention pick to the Omaha World Herald's all-state team. The All-Star Girls Report rates her as the 20^th best center in the country and the 70^th best player overall. MacFarlane earned honorable mention to The Sporting News' 2008-09 Preseason High School All-America team.

“Melissa MacFarlane fills an immediate need in our program,” McConnell-Miller said. “She is a back to the basket center that runs the floor, rebounds, and anticipates well. Melissa brings a great presence in the lane that allows us to compete in the Big 12. She comes from a very strong basketball program and has been prepared to compete at this level. Melissa's best days are ahead of her.”

Colorado opens its 35^th season of intercollegiate women's basketball by hosting the University of Central Florida on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2:30 p.m. at the Coors Events/Conference Center.

Colorado University Athletics

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