Lady Demons add poised guard Rayner

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State got more depth, experience and poise at the guard position on Wednesday with the signing of another all-region junior college point guard.

Head coach Anna Nimz announced the addition 5-foot-6, Region 2 Newcomer of the Year Shelby Rayner providing another option in distribution and scoring from the point for the Lady Demons.

“We are beyond excited to bring in a player that brings so much poise to the court,” Nimz said. “She has the ability to create off the bounce, not only herself but for others, and she can hit the outside shot. What we are most excited about though is her ability to run the club, manage the clock and make those around her better.”

The Tasmania, Australia native spent this past season at Northern Oklahoma-Takoma where she started 25 games in route to a Second-Team All-Region 2 selection and Newcomer of the Year honor.

She filled the stat sheet on the season with 14.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals per game. She shot better than 40 percent from the field and knocked down more than 35 percent of her shots from beyond the arc.

She reached the 20-point mark eight different times, including a career-high 25 points against Northern Oklahoma-Enid, which was part of a stretch of four straight 20-point outings.

She had five games with five or more assists during the season and 19 games with three or more helpers.

Rayner prepped at Don College in Davenport, Tasmania, located on the Northern coast of the island state, before beginning her collegiate career at Cal Baptist where she appeared in nine games before spending this past season in Oklahoma.