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Zias add pair of posts

Staff report

Eastern New Mexico has signed a pair of junior college transfer posts for the upcoming Zia basketball season.

Both Brittany Gutierrez of Otero Junior College and Teylor McMiller of San Joaquin Delta Junior College will be juniors for the Zias in the upcoming season.

The 6-foot-2 Gutierrez, a 2012 graduate of Gallup High School, averaged 8.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists for Otero last season, and was a junior on Gallup’s 2011 state champion squad.

"Brittany is a very athletic post player who can defend multiple positions," said Prock. "Offensively she has the ability to play on the inside and out. Brittany definitely fits the type of post player we are trying to build around. It is always good to be able to get a New Mexico kid to come back home. Brittany also has a tremendous work ethic and exceptional character. She comes from a great family and has a great understanding of what it takes to be successful. As we continue to build this program we know that Brittany Gutierrez will be a staple and is someone whom we will count on to do many things for us. We are extremely excited to welcome her into our family.”

McMiller, a 6-foot-1 native of Stockton, California, averaged 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks last season.

"Teylor is a tenacious competitor and a very skilled post player," said Prock. "The enthusiasm she has playing the game is one of the first things that attracted me to Teylor. She has a unique ability to block shots that will help us a lot on the defensive end and she will be able to play behind the post, which will help us tremendously on the defensive end. She also is a talented offensive player who can play on the outside and inside which will give us versatility to do different things offensively. Not only is Teylor a good player she is even a better person, someone who her teammates will love being around and is someone who has excelled in the classroom as well as she was named to the All-Academic Team at San Joaquin Delta College. We are all excited to welcome Teylor McMiller to our family."

The Zias finished 6-20 last season, just missing the eight-team Lone Star Conference tournament.