HAMMOND, Ind. — Amanda Gaskin, a 5-11 forward who played for Pendleton Heights, a Class 4A final four participant this last season, has signed to play for the Peregrines for the 2009-2010 campaign.

In the post-season tournament, Gaskin averaged 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. As a senior she averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game for the 21-3 Arabians. Gaskin also led her team in rebounding, and hit 50 percent of her shots from the field in her final high school season.

Gaskin earned all conference honors in the Hoosier Heritage conference last season and was voted the team’s defensive player of the year in her junior and senior seasons. She helped the Arabians to back-to-back Hoosier Heritage Conference championships, and she was named a two-time all area player by the Herald Bulletin.

Peregrine coach Tom Megyesi said adding Gaskin will help in the low post and benefit the team in the rebounding department.

“At 5-11, Amanda will be providing an inside presence that we are in need of for next season,” Megyesi said. “Amanda is very strong and athletic, and she has excellent shooting technique and speed. I look forward to coaching Amanda the next four years.”

Gaskin is the third recruit Megyesi has signed for Purdue University Calumet. The two other recruits are Plymouth’s Alex Starr, a 5-9 guard, who averaged 10.3 points and 2.3 rebounds for the Pilgrims, and River Forest’s Natalie Sovich, who averaged 14.6 points and 12.4 rebounds per game in her senior season.

Photo caption: Left to right in the back row are Pendleton Heights assistant coach Ed Clark, head coach Shari Doud and Peregrine coach Megyesi. In the front are parents Ernie and Darla Gaskin on the left and right with Amanda Gaskin in the middle.