ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia-St. Paul head women's basketball coach Amanda Johnson has announced the signings of Ellie Gess, Ayla Lemke, Danielle Schaub and Sydney Weierke for the 2017-18 season.

ELLIE GESS (G, 5-7, Fr., Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson HS)
Jefferson High School: Lettered four times in basketball for the Jaguars … averaged 14 points, five assists and two steals per game as a junior while shooting 40% from three point range … was named team MVP and team captain … was named All-Metro West Conference … was named All-Metro West Conference Defensive Team and All-Tournament Team … also earned letters in student council, Jag power, and FCA.
 
Personal: Born on November 9, 1998 … daughter of Jim and Meghan Gess … has two older sisters, Haley and Kenzie and one younger brother, Hunter … plans on majoring in Elementary Education at Concordia … her father played hockey and baseball at MSU.
 
Johnson on Gess: "Ellie is hard-working, aggressive guard that gets the job done not only on offense but also on defense. What we love most about Ellie is her knock down 3-point shot, but also her ability to be a lock down defender. She is a player who we can count on consistently on both ends of the court."
 
AYLA LEMKE (F, 6-2, Fr., Two Harbors, Minn. / Two Harbors HS)
Two Harbors High School: Lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball for the Agates … was named All-Polar League First Team and MVP as a sophomore after averaging 22 points, 11 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game ... served as team captain since 2014 … did not play basketball junior year due to an injury … named All-Polar League in volleyball from sophomore to senior season … named team MVP as a sophomore … was named All-State Academic as a senior … has been named All-Polar League in softball from 2012-2015 … was named All-State First Team in 2014 … All-Section honoree in 2014 and 2015 … team MVP in 2015 and served as captain from 2015-2016 … member of National Honor Society, FCA, Spanish Club, Enviro Club and Student Council
 
Personal: Born on June 11, 1999 … daughter of Chris and Gina Lemke … has one older brother, Alex and one younger brother, Anthony … undecided on major at Concordia.

Johnson on Lemke: "Ayla is an extremely athletic 6'2" forward that we will be able to use both inside and out. She can handle the ball and also shoot from distance. With Ayla on the court we will be able to spread our defense and use her at more than one position. She has unlimited potential and we are really excited to start working with her next season."
  
DANIELLE SCHAUB (G, 5-4, Fr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Park Center HS)
Park Center High School: Lettered in basketball, soccer and softball for the Pirates … was named All-NWSC on three occasions … served as team captain … helped lead team to two conference championships, three section championships and two state titles.
 
Personal: Born on April 16, 1999 … daughter of Charlie and Diane Schaub … has two older sisters, Nicole and Hannah … plans to major in Business at Concordia … Hannah plays basketball at Valparaiso and Nicole plays basketball at UW-Stout.
 
Johnson on Schaub: "Danielle is a smart point guard who has great vision on the court and is always looking to get her teammates the ball. Her leadership on the court is something we wanted for our point guard to have coming in next year. Danielle is a pass first point guard who will knock the 3 pointer if you leave her unguarded."
 
SYDNEY WEIERKE (C, 6-2, Fr., New Brighton, Minn. / Totino-Grace HS)
Totino-Grace High School: Lettered in basketball, dance team and softball for the Eagles … named team captain for upcoming senior season, earned All-Northwest Suburban Conference accolades as a junior … earned Most Improved award as a freshman … averaged 14.1 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks per game as a junior while helping team reach section-semifinals … helped lead team to an 18-8 record as a freshman and an appearance in the section-semifinal game … also participated in Positive Peer Leadership Program, LINK Crew commissioner and National Honor Society.
 
Personal: Born on June 15, 1999 ... daughter of Brian and Birgitta Weierke … has an older sister, Lexi, and a younger brother, Carter … plans to major in Biology at Concordia … father played basketball at Bemidji State and sister currently plays basketball at Gustavus Adolphus College.
 
Johnson on Weierke: "Sydney is a 6'2" post player who will be a big presence on the low block. Sydney's strengths on defense is her ability to protect the basket on defense by blocking shots and also being a big time defensive rebounder. On offense, Sydney has good back to the basket post moves with the ability to hit the open mid-range jump shot."