ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University women's basketball coach Samantha Quigley Smith announced on Wednesday (June 19) the addition of six players to the roster for the 2019-20 season: Shawnton Brown, Grace Hilber, Kae Seana Barth-Lofton, Madison Mallory, Ryann Ogarek and Lauren Ramsey.

"We are so excited for the 2019 additions to our women's basketball program," Quigley Smith said. "Our connections in the Midwest continue to prevail while adding great talent from the Chicagoland area. They're not only great players and competitors, but more importantly great people and students. We can't wait for the fall to get here."
 
Brown, a 5-8 guard/forward from Joliet, Ill., played at Joliet Central where she averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per game and helped lead her team to a regional championship. She was named to the Herald News All-Area First Team in 2019 and was a Daily Herald All-Area Third Team selection in 2018.
 
"Shawnton is a local product who has an elite athleticism about her," Quigley Smith said. "Her ability to get to the rim and rebound the ball are just a couple of her strengths. We can't wait for her to get started with us."
 
Hilber, a 5-5 point guard from Sun Prairie, Wis., played at Sun Prairie High School where she received eight letters in tennis, basketball and softball. This past season on the court she averaged 14 points and helped lead her team to a regional title. Hilber was a first team all-conference selection, an all-state honorable mention selection and a third team all-area selection this past season.
 
"Grace's ability to be a floor general will definitely help our veteran group," Quigley Smith said. "She sees the floor well and has a knack for scoring from the 1-2 position."
 
Seana Barth-Lofton, a 5-10 forward from St. Paul, Minn., averaged 12.7 points and 11 rebounds per game at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park, Minn., this past season. She is a two-time first team all-conference selection and helped lead her team to a 83-19 record, four conference championships and three sectional championships during her prep career.

"Kae makes the trek down from Minnesota and we are so excited to have her join us," Quigley Smith said. "Kae has a natural strength underneath the basket that powers her ability to score. She also runs the floor well which will match with our pace of play."

Mallory, a 6-2 forward from Geneva, Ill., Mallory played at Youngstown State last season where she appeared in 22 contests. She scored a season-high 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in a win over Carlow. She was teammates with current Flyer Stephanie Hart (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) at Geneva High School where they were part of back-to-back Illinois Class 4A state champions. The Vikings went 60-7 in her two years there. Mallory also competed in the state tournament as a freshman at Montini Catholic. She was a three-time participant in the IHSA Three-point competition. Mallory earned academic all-conference accolades all four years of her career.
 
"Madison brings versatility and college playing experience coming from the D1 level," Quigley Smith said. "Her ability to stretch the floor with her shooting will be great to add at the three and four positions for our program. Not only that, but she is a proven winner coming from a highly successful Geneva high school program."
 
Ogarek, a 5-10 guard/forward from Joliet, Ill., Ogarek played at Providence Catholic for four years and was a four-time Herald News All-Area selection, a three-time 22nd Century Media All-Star team pick, a three-time Daily Southtown All-Area Third Team selection and was the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White Division Player of the Year in 2019. As a senior, she averaged 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.6 assists per game.
 
"Ryann's athleticism is going to be valuable coming in as a freshman," Quigley Smith said. "She has the ability to score the ball in creative ways. Coming from a local successful program we're excited to have this young woman stay close to home and help us grow."
 
Ramsey, a 5-9 guard from Oak Lawn, Ill., played at Mother McAuley where she earned four varsity letters. This past season she helped lead the Mighty Macs to a 34-3 record and a second place finish at the IHSA Class 4A State Tournament. Ramsey averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game this season and was named to the GCAC All-Conference team and was a Daily Southtown All-Area Honorable Mention selection.
 
"Lauren, is coming off a very successful high school season with Mother McAuley," Quigley Smith said. "She possesses versatility playing multiple positions. That is a huge asset for our program. Her ability to guard multiple positions and rebound the ball will be extremely valuable on the defensive end."
 
The Flyers finished the 2018-19 season with a record of 27-5 and advanced to the Midwest Regional semifinals for the second consecutive year.