ESPANOLA, New Mexico. – Northern’s women’s basketball team has announced the signings of Ramona Ramone and Shanae Roybal to National Letters of Intent for the 2010-2011 season.

“We feel very fortunate to have both Ramona and Shanae join our basketball family. NNMC women’s basketball has gained two talented student-athletes who will positively represent Northern and our women’s basketball program,” stated head coach Christina Jost.

Ramone, a 5’8” guard/small forward comes to NNMC from Thoreau High School. Ramone received All-District honors three years in a row and was named to the Class 3A North/South All-Star team her senior year. “We will look to utilize Ramona both at the wing and small forward positions. She is a physical and strong player and we will try to take advantage of both of those qualities that she possesses,” remarked Jost. “Ramona comes from a solid high school program,” continued Jost, “and has great potential in becoming a strong force for us on the court.”

Roybal is a 5’11” wing/small forward who played at St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe, NM. While at St. Michael’s, Roybal was a standout athlete in both volleyball and basketball. She was an All-District and North/South All-Star volleyball player and a member of the state championship team. As a five year varsity basketball player, Roybal earned All-District honors her junior and senior years and was invited to be a member on the North/South All-Star team.

“We are very excited to have Shanae become apart of our program and will look to her to fill various roles on the team, “ commented Jost. Jost continues, “Shanae has the versatility to play both on the perimeter and inside. We will utilize her to run the floor at the 4 position to compliment how we would like to run the court in transition and also take advantage of her length at the wing.”

Ramone and Roybal join the 2010 recruiting class that currently consists of Karly Chavez of Magdalena, NM, Shannon Dez of Sheep Springs, NM, and Sarah Romero of Highlands, NM.