Oct. 2, 2002
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The college jerseys of three standout University of Notre Dame women’s basketball players currently are on display in the “Ring of Honor” at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. Senior guard Alicia Ratay (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich), sophomore forward Jacqueline Batteast (South Bend, Ind./Washington) and freshman forward Courtney LaVere (Ventura, Calif./Buena) all have their Irish uniforms hanging in the North Rotunda of the Hall, part of the display which celebrates the accomplishments of the nation’s best high school and college athletes.
Ratay was an Associated Press honorable mention All-America choice in 2001-02, marking her second All-America selection in the last three seasons. She also was a first team all-BIG EAST Conference pick after finishing third in the league in scoring (15.4 ppg.) and second in free throw percentage (a school-record .882). She presently ranks ninth on Notre Dame’s career scoring list with 1,375 points and she needs to make 38 three-point field goals to become the school’s all-time record holder in that category. In addition, she ranks among the top 10 in NCAA history for career free throw (.860) and three-point percentage (.480).
Batteast was chosen as the 2002 United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Freshman of the Year and BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, and she garnered Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/Kodak honorable mention All-America consideration. She ranked 13th in the BIG EAST in scoring (13.8 rpg.), second in rebounding (7.8 rpg.), fifth in blocked shots (1.38 bpg.) and second in double-doubles (11) during her freshman campaign. Batteast also was a six-time BIG EAST Rookie of the Week and was a second team all-conference selection.
As a high school senior last year, LaVere earned consensus All-America honors from Parade, McDonald’s, USA Today, Street & Smith’s, WBCA, Nike and Student Sports. She also registered 26.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game during her final season at Buena High School. She finished her prep career with 1,897 points (second in school history), 1,029 rebounds (third in school history) and 303 blocks (first in school history). LaVere holds single-game school records for points (45) and blocks (9), as well as single-season school marks for points (741), scoring average (26.5 ppg.) and blocks (99).
Players in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame “Ring of Honor” are selected after receiving special honors from the past season. Collegiate players honored were named All-Americans by the AP, Kodak or USBWA. High school players honored were named All-Americans by Parade, WBCA, USA Today, or by being named Gatorade State Player of the Year. Each player will have her jersey showcased throughout the 2002-03 season.
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