Stockill a Colgate Raider
Tagged in: Athletes, Kiwis Abroad, National Teams, WBC
Colgate University women’s head basketball coach Nicci Hays Fort has announced that the Raiders will be adding three newcomers in Kiwi Josie Stockill, Randyll Butler and Paige Kriftcher as the class of 2016.
“We are very excited about our 2012 recruiting class. The class as a whole will immediately increase our competitiveness in the Patriot League,” said coach Hays Fort. “All three have had a high level of personal success and team success throughout their high school and club careers. They display a tremendous work ethic and are excited to be Colgate Raiders.”
Stockill is from New Zealand, while Butler is from Chicago, Illinois and Kriftcher Port Washington, New York.
Stockill is a 6-3 (1.9m) forward from Napier, New Zealand, where she was a 2011 graduate of Napier Girls’ High School. Stockill has spent the last five years as a member of New Zealand national teams and earned MVP honors at the 2009 National Under 17 Championships. Stockill then moved up to the under 19 national team in 2010 and played in the FIBA Oceania Championship, before travelling to Australia in 2011 to play in the state championships for the New Zealand under 20 team.
As a member of the Napier Girls High School team Stockill won the Susan Downes Cup for her commitment to basketball in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and was awarded a place on the all-Tournament team in the Secondary Schools AA National Championships.
“Josie is a big time rebounder that has great ability to run the floor and be an offensive threat,” said coach Hays Fort. “She brings great international playing experience that should assist her in the transition to Patriot League play.”
Butler is a 2012 graduate of Marist High School, where she served as team captain of the Redhawks for the past three seasons. The 5-8 guard helped lead Marist to back-to-back Regional Championships in 2011 and 2012, while also winning the Sectional Championship in 2012. Butler earned All-Conference honors in 2011, along with receiving All-Tournament honors in both 2011 and 2012. Through her time with the Redhawks Butler received numerous team awards including Most Improved, Best Defense, Leadership Award and MVP.
“Randyll is a versatile guard that can play 1-3 positions. She displays great competitiveness on the defensive and rebounding ends of the floor,” stated coach Hays Fort. “Randyll has always been a “team first” player in doing whatever is needed for her team to have success and we are excited about her leadership skills.”
Kriftcher is a 2012 graduate of Long Island Lutheran High School, where she earned New York State Class B First-Team honors during her junior and senior seasons. The 5-9 guard also received All-State recognition as a sophomore and finished her career as a member of the Crusaders 1,000-point club after averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. Kriftcher was also a co-captain of the 2009 Under 18 USA National Team that won the Gold Medal in World Maccabiah Games in Israel.
“Paige had a tremendous high school career. She has great passing ability to go along with her ability to make baskets in multiple ways,” said coach Hays Fort. “We believe that Paige will extend the defense with her outside shooting and decision making abilities.”
“As much as we are excited about their ability to play and compete at a high level, we are even more excited what all three of them will bring to the Colgate community and as future Raider alumni,” stated coach Hays Fort. “We believe that Josie, Randyll and Paige will assist us in increasing our competitive attitude and bring about new traditions for the Colgate women’s basketball program.”
