Nov. 20, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - Blair Shinoda, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Foothill High School in Santa Ana who was named MVP of the Sea View League last season, has signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent with the UC Davis women's basketball team and will join the Aggies' program next fall, head coach Sandy Simpson has announced.

Shinoda enters her senior season at Foothill after earning a trio of All-Sea View League honors over her first three seasons. In addition to earn MVP honors for 2007-08, she was an all-league first-team selection as a sophomore and a second-team pick during her freshman year. Shinoda, who averaged 9.0 points, 5.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a junior, also earned All-CIF Southern section first-team honors last year.

Shinoda brings a strong ability to dish the ball, evidenced by a 5.9 assist average as a sophomore and a 4.1 assist mark as a freshman.

"Blair has the height we're looking for both our offensive and defensive systems," said Simpson. "She possesses great leadership qualities and is totally committed to the team effort. We're very excited to have a player of Blair's ability join our program."

Shinoda has helped lead Foothill to a 70-18 record, three league titles and three section playoff appearances over the past three seasons. Included was a 24-5 mark last year and a quarterfinal apperance in the postseason. Foothill advanced to the semifinals her previous two seasons.

She is the Aggies' only signee during the NCAA's early signing period.

UC Davis, 1-0 so far in 2008-09, will return to action with a road matchup at the University of Denver on Friday. The Aggies will open their home schedule on Tuesday against the University of San Francisco.