By: Loren Miller, USU Eastern Sports Information

PRICE – Utah State Eastern women’s basketball coach Chelsey Warburton announces five new additions to her 2018 recruiting class.

This wave of new signees will come from near and far to join the Eagles this upcoming season.

From the state of Utah Warburton has signed forward Rylie Tobiasson from Spanish Fork.  As a senior in 2017-2018, Tobiasson averaged 9.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game while helping the Dons reach the 4A State Quarterfinals.

“Rylie’s length and mobility will allow her to play multiple positions for us.  She will help increase our options on defense and adds size to our lineup,” said Warburton.

Warburton has signed two athletes from the state of Idaho in this group of signees.

Forward Harley Carlisle from Preston and guard Ami Tia from Boise will join the Eagles this upcoming year to add depth and skill at multiple positions.

“Harley will be a key inside presence for us, especially on the defensive end and rebounding.  She is physical on the block and will give us great minutes,” said Warburton.

As a senior in 2017-2018, Carlisle averaged a double-double for Preston with 15.1 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. She helped the Indians take sixth at the 4A State Championships.

At the guard position Tia will bring more athleticism and scoring ability to next year’s team.

“Ami is a tremendous athlete with the ability to score and defend.  She will be a great addition for our guard lineup and will fit well into our system. She has a desire to win and ability to bring that out in her teammates,” said Warburton.

Tia averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game during her senior year. As a junior, she helped Centennial win the 2017 5A State Championship.

To add more depth inside and outside on her roster, Coach Warburton went overseas and added forward Brianna Ritchie from Australia and point guard Lamija Coric from Sweden.

With the graduation of Rashel Blazzard, Madison Loftus, and Harlee Willoughby, Waburton is looking forward to having Coric take on some of the minutes left by those players.

“Lamija is excellent at distributing the ball and being a floor captain.  She is a great decision maker and we are looking forward to positive contributions from her,” said Warburton.

Ritchie will bring size and athleticism to the frontcourt depth for USU Eastern and Warburton believes she will be a great fit for her system.

“Brianna has the ability to defend multiple positions and will give us depth as a forward.  She plays aggressive and will be successful in our system,” said Warburton.
Warburton and her assistant coach, Morgan Warburton-Nelson, are looking forward to the 2018-2019 season and seeing these five signees play a part in the success of the program.

“Morgan and I are thrilled to be adding Ami, Harley, Lamija, Brianna and Rylie to our roster.  Their desire, excitement and drive to play for us will help in our success in the 2018-2019 season.  There are great things to come for this group,” said Warburton.

Last season the Eagles finished the season with a 18-13 overall record and an appearance in the Region XVIII Tournament semifinals.

The 2018-2019 season will kick off this November with the official schedule and opponents to be announced later this summer.