Sammi Gentile.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs women's basketball coach Stephen Kirkham announced the signing of two high school players. Joining the Mountain Lions beginning in the 2010-11 season will be Jeri Pikul of Buena Vista High School and Sammi Gentile of Salida High School.

Pikul is currently listed as a Denver Post Class 3A player to watch after making the newspaper's Class 3A all-state second team as a junior. She was also named the Tri-Peaks League player of the year by the Pueblo Chieftain.

A 5-foot-9 point guard, Pikul has also competed in volleyball, soccer and track for the Demons. She led Buena Vista to a 27-3 record this past season.

"She's started at point guard since she was a freshman for Robert Crowther, who's one of the best coaches in the state," said Kirkham of Pikul. "At 5-9, she can see everything on the floor and brings some length to the defense."

Gentile is a 6-0, 190-pound post player who was referred to on the Colorado Heat club basketball team Web site as the "strongest player we ever had and best footwork." A three-time all-Tri-Peaks League selection, she was named honorable mention all-state as a freshman and as a sophomore.

Gentile averaged 15.9 points and 10 rebounds per game as a sophomore after posting 17.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as a freshman. This past season, she put up 17 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.

"She brings size and aggression to the program," said Kirkham. "She'll add depth in the post position which is a necessity to compete in the RMAC."