Women's Basketball Inks Five for 2025 Signing Class

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Head coach Bart Brooks and the Belmont University women's basketball program announced Friday evening the signing of five new Bruins for the 2025-26 season and beyond. Rylie Beers, Kate McGinnis, Dacarra Ward, Leah West and Tatum Woodson have all signed with Belmont to represent the Bruins' 2025 signing class. Each a standout in their respective state, the quintet will arrive in the Music City next summer.
 
"I'm really excited about our 2025 recruiting class," spoke coach Brooks. "All of our signees fit together really well on the basketball court. They are great teammates who will be amazing representatives of Belmont and our program."

Rylie Beers | Guard | 6-0 | Littleton, Colo. | Valor Christian HS | Hardwood Elite
A native of Littleton, Colorado, Beers stars at Valor Christian High School where she earned all-state honors as a junior after helping lead the Eagles to their first state title since 2021. As a sophomore, Beers was named Jeffco All-League Second Team before earning first-team all-league accolades last season. Rylie is the sister of All-American center Raegan Beers.
 
"Rylie is a great competitor who also has great versatility," commented coach Brooks. "She's able to play multiple positions on offense with the ability to defend any position on the court. Rylie impacts winning and I know our fans will love her competitive spirit."

Kate McGinnis | Guard | 5-9 | Kimberly, Wis. | Kimberly HS | Wisconsin Flight
Hailing from Kimberly, Wisconsin, McGinnis was a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division I All-State selection following her junior year. Leading Kimberly High School to a 23-4 record, McGinnis averaged 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game last season. She heads into her senior year on the cusp of 1,000 career points and has knocked down 172 three-pointers through her first three varsity seasons. McGinnis was also a unanimous All-Fox Valley Association First Team pick in 2023-24.
 
"Kate is a versatile guard who is a great shooter," said coach Brooks. "She has the ability to stretch the floor as a consistent shot maker from the perimeter, but she's also incredibly tough and competitive. Kate will fit beautifully in our system and I can't wait to see her compete for the Bruins."
 
Dacarra Ward | Forward | 6-2 | Memphis, Tenn. | Bartlett HS | Tennessee Flight
One of two post players in Belmont's 2025 signing class, Ward helped lead Bartlett High School right outside of Memphis to back-to-back Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class 4A state runner-up finishes. Aiding the Lady Panthers in consecutive district and region championships, Ward was a District 15-4A All-Tournament Team selection last February. She also claimed The Daily Memphian Division I Large All-Metro honors.
 
"Dacarra is a versatile player with size and athleticism to play inside and outside," remarked coach Brooks. "She has great feel around the basket and the ability to stretch the floor and shoot from the perimeter. Dacarra will add great depth and size to our forward group and fans will love her competitiveness."
 
Leah West | Forward | 6-1 | Greensburg, Ind. | Greensburg Community HS | Indiana Elite Drive
Hoosier State native Leah West, who was one of only 18 juniors in the state to be named to the 2024 Indiana Junior All-Stars, is the Bruins' other post player in the 2025 class. As a junior at Greensburg Community High School, West was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Large School Underclass All-State Team. She averaged 16.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season en route to garnering Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (EIAC) MVP honors.
 
"Leah brings great size and skill to our program at the forward position," commented coach Brooks. "She has the ability to play on the perimeter or back to the basket, and her toughness and competitive spirit allows her to compete with bigger post players. Leah will be a great addition to our program."
 
Tatum Woodson | Guard | 5-10 | Minnetonka, Minn. | Hopkins HS | Minnesota Suns
Minnetonka, Minnesota, product Tatum Woodson was an All-Lake Conference performer as a junior and helped lead Hopkins High School to the Class 4A state championship game. Claiming all-state honorable mention recognition from the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association (MGBCA), Tatum put up a team-high 22 points in the section championship game last season.
 
"Tatum is a dynamic playmaker at the guard position who has a lot of versatility as a scorer, and she's also very competitive," stated coach Brooks. "She has great physical tools and a strong work ethic. I can't wait to see how she grows her game at the college level in our program."
 
Belmont is off to a 2-1 start in 2024-25 and has a marquee matchup with 12th-ranked Ohio State Sunday afternoon inside the Curb Event Center. Winners of their last two, the Bruins take on three teams ranked in the top 20 of both national polls within the first three weeks of the season. Sunday's home game against the top-15 ranked Buckeyes is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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