Women's Basketball November 08, 2017

Rechlicz Signs Three On First Day Of Early Signing Period

Walstad, Walton, Wittmershaus to join the Panthers in 2018

MILWAUKEE – Three high school standouts have signed their papers and will join the Milwaukee women's basketball team next season, Milwaukee head coach Kyle Rechlicz announced Wednesday afternoon.

Megan Walstad of Apple Valley, Minn., Tahlia Walton of Stanley, Wis., and Emma Wittmershaus of Bangor, Wis. have all filed their National Letters of Intent and will join the Panthers next season.

"This is the highest ranked class that we have recruited since my arrival at UWM," Rechlicz said. "My staff worked extremely hard to bring in a complete group that exemplifies our program values. They will bring us skill, height and an overall toughness on the court while also bringing integrity in everything they do. Each of them have their own unique skill set and they all know how to win at a very high level. We feel very fortunate that these incredible young women have chosen to join our Panther family."

Walstad comes to Milwaukee as a two-time sectional champion and third-place finisher at state at Eastview High School in the greater Minneapolis area. Last year, the 6-foot-2 power forward was named class 4A all-state honorable mention, while also being named all-conference and to the state all-tournament team following both her sophomore and junior seasons. Walstad has averaged over 12 points and seven rebounds per game during her high school career, but has proven to take her game to the next level when the lights are the brightest, averaging 17.7 points and 10 rebounds at the state tournament as a sophomore before tallying 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in the state tournament last year.

"Megan is a complete player who has the ability to score inside and out," Rechlicz said. "Her fundamental skill set allows her to be very efficient and she has competed at a high level in both high school and AAU. We are incredibly excited to have a player of her caliber competing in a Milwaukee jersey next season."

Despite sitting out her junior season due to WIAA transfer rules, Walton comes to Milwaukee as one of the top recruits in the state. As a sophomore at Eau Claire Memorial, she averaged over 11 points and nearly six rebounds per game, while shooting nearly 60-percent from the floor. She also was named Honorable Mention All-Big Rivers Conference, as well as All-Northwest League third team.

"We noticed Tahlia's athleticism early in the recruiting process, but it was her balance on the court and personality that sold us on her future as a Panther," Rechlicz said. "Her style of play will be familiar to Panther fans since she plays similar to former star Ashley Green. She is a hidden gem in the state of Wisconsin and she is determined to prove that she belongs at the top."

A three-sport standout, Wittmershaus has proven to be a very versatile athlete. The 6-foot-3 forward has taken big strides her first three years. She finished with 15 points and nearly nine rebounds per game as a junior last year at Bangor High School, helping the Cardinals finish the season with a 24-4 record and a berth to the state tournament. She was named AP All-State Honorable Mention, as well as Scenic Bluff Conference Player of the Year each of the last two seasons, on top of being a WBCA Division 5 All-State Team member last season. Wittmershaus is also a standout in volleyball and softball, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Emma will have the opportunity early in her career to fill big shoes with the graduation of our senior post players," Rechlicz said. "She is a successful multi-sport athlete that can translate her versatility in many ways on the court. The way she uses her 6'3 frame will enhance our ability to score in the paint and our defensive presence around the basket."

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