ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Lindenwood women's basketball adds two incoming freshman during the early signing period on National Signing Day on Wednesday, Nov. 13th. Anna McCarn and Valerie Norwood signed their letter of intents on Wednesday as they are the first two in the 2025-26 signing class.

McCarn comes to St. Charles, Mo. from Mountain Home, Ark. where she attended Mountain Home High School. While there she averaged six points per game, grabbed nine rebounds a night and added two blocks. She was a one-time all-conference selection as well as Player of the Month in December.

While playing for her club team Nike EYCL, she finished as a conference runner up last season. She averaged 13 points per game, 11 rebounds per game and three blocks per game.

Not only a member of the basketball team, McCarn was a three-time conference champion in track while also making the all-conference team. McCarn also was voted to the All-Area team for volleyball as well as making the All-Conference team.

"We are extremely excited to add Anna to our Lion family," said head coach Amy Eagan. "Anna just fits how we want to play. Not only is she 6'3, but she is super long, physical and plays with a very high motor. She is also a great teammate and a winner as her high school team advanced to the class 5A State Tournament last year. She has a lot of growth left in her game and I am looking forward to coaching her and working with her!"

Norwood attended Wellington High School in Wellington, Kan. over the past four years. For her career she averaged 16 points a game while adding five assists, four steals and five rebounds. At Wellington she broke the school record for career assists (289) and career steals (235). Norwood was also a back-to-back conference first-team selection.

She was the 4a Player of the Year last season while also being named the league Defensive Player of the Year. During the Colby Tournament she garnered the MVP. While at the state tournament, she averaged 24.3 points per game.

"Valerie has a chance to make an immediate impact in our program," said Eagan. "She is super skilled with a very high IQ. She will be able to play 1-3 positions while being a 3 level scorer. She will be one of the best players in Kansas this year after being named 4A girls basketball player of the year, her leagues defensive player of the year, and the MVP of the Orange and Black Tournament. She was also the state's leading scorer at the 2024 state tournament averaging 24.3 points per game. We are extremely excited to have her joining our lion family and I cannot wait to coach her!"