Three Top Local Players Commit To BYU

PROVO -- BYU women’s head coach Jeff Judkins announced that three Utah standouts have signed letters of intent and will compete for the Cougars.

Lexi Eaton,a 6-0 forward from Springville High School, Ashley Garfield, a 5-11 guard forward combo from Morgan, Utah, and Xojian Harry, who prepped at Woods Cross and at Viewmont High School, will join the BYU women’s basketball program beginning in the 2011-12 season.

“All three of these players are winners who have played in very successful high school programs and for good coaches,” said Judkins. “They are hard workers, good all-around student-athletes and I’m excited for them to become members of our program. The three are going to fit in really well with the kind of winning success we want for our program.”

Eaton, from Mapleton, Utah, is entering her senior year at Springville High School where the Red Devils are the defending 4A state champions. Last year she was the leading scorer in the state averaging 25.1 points per game and was the state tournament MVP. The Gatorade Player of the Year and Ms. Basketball also garnered first team All-State honors and was named to the ESPN Rise All-American Second Team. She also picked up Salt Lake Tribune’s 4A MVP and Female Athlete of the Year accolades and was named the Utah Valley Player of the Year. Academically, she’s been on Springville’s honor roll the past three seasons.

In addition, Eaton lettered in soccer where she was a two-time first team All-State honoree, was the Utah Valley Player of the Year and the leading scorer in 4A this season. She also competed in track in the 4x100m relay team that took state last year. She also runs in the 400m and 100m, placed third in the high jump her freshman and junior years, and finished second her sophomore season.

“Lexi has a great shot from the outside, is aggressive to the basket and she’s a solid tough competitor,” Judkins said.

Garfield averaged 14.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.2 blocks and 3.2 steals entering her senior year at Morgan High School. She was named region MVP after the team clinched the region champs crown last season. Garfield has also received three first team All-State citations. On the club level, she competed with the Salt Lake Metro Club for two years.

A two-sport athlete, Garfield also lettered in volleyball where her team clinched four region championships and a state champ in 2010 for the second time. The setter recorded 402 kills, 115 solo blocks, 81 block assists and 125 digs. She was named Academic All-State in volleyball while holding a 4.0 GPA as well as first team All-State.

“Ashley is a good rebounder, a solid scorer and she’s got great leadership qualities that will be a great asset for our team,” commented Judkins.

Rounding out the three local signees is Xojian Harry, a 5-11 guard from Bountiful, Utah who competed at Woods Cross for three seasons and is at Viewmont this year. She also lettered in volleyball, softball and track.

Last season Harry averaged 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.4 assists per game. She garnered first team All-State honors and was named Region MVP. In her junior year, Woods Cross was region champions. Harry holds a 4.0 GPA and is on the honor roll.

The outside hitter garnered first team All-Region honors her sophomore year and picked up Academic All-State accolades in her senior season.

In softball she plays first base or centerfield where she’s been named All-State honorable mention twice while leading the team in batting average at .456.

On the track team, she participated in the 100m, 200m, and 400m and in the long jump. Her 4x100m relay team was state champs last season.

“Xojian is very athletic, runs and jumps well and is a great defender who will help us on the press,” Judkins said.

This is the first time during Judkins’ tenure that all of the signees in a year have come from the state of Utah.