FAYETTE, Mo. - Dajonee Hale, a 5'7 guard, becomes the fifth student-athlete that has signed to play for the Central Methodist women's basketball team for the 2013-14 season, coach James Arnold announced Tuesday.

Hale was a standout for Houston High School in Houston, Alaska. She is the second player to latch on to the Central Methodist's women's basketball program from "The Last Frontier", joining current Eagles guard Kaitlyn Klapperich.

"In the recruiting process, we are looking for two key things - someone who can help us replace statistical areas of need and a player who has a skill set that we don't have - and DaJonee does both," Arnold said. "We are losing our top two scorers, and her ability to score in a variety of ways will be a huge shot in the arm, but most importantly she fits a huge need for us in that she can break down her defender and make plays, has tremendous court vision and just is a really smooth athlete."

Last season, Hale averaged a team-high 23 points and eight rebounds per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field in leading the Hawks to a 19-9 record and first state tournament appearance in 21 years.

For her efforts during the 2012-13 season, Hale was named South Central Conference MVP and second team All-State. She was also named to the 2013 Alaska Class 3A Girls Basketball All-Tournament Team.
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Hale plays AAU basketball for the Alaska Lady Hoops and was coached by current Central Methodist assistant Greg Ray.

"Having known and worked with DaJonee since the sixth grade, I saw her ability to play this game at a very high level," Ray commented, adding, "She is a natural and plays with a confidence rarely seen. She constantly seeks improvement for herself and her team."

Central Methodist finished the 2012-13 season 25-8, its best campaign in 13 years. The Eagles are coming off their first appearance in the NAIA Division I National Championship.