BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team and head coach Kevin Woodin announced the signing of six incoming recruits, set to join the Yellowjackets for the 2025-26 season.
 
Cassie Chesnut, Tailey Harris, Lauren Kuhbacher, Shelbi Labrie, Kaylie Neary, and Rae Smart make up the class of 2025 for the Yellowjackets. Three of the Yellowjacket's signees join from Montana, with two from the Billings area, while two players are from Wyoming, and one comes from Washington.
 
"My staff and I are very excited about our six women's basketball early signees," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "They represent all positions on the floor and collectively, they are very athletic and coachable. All of them are leaders in their respective schools and have excelled academically. They all attended past MSUB women's basketball camps, so we got to see them first-hand. We expect them collectively to make an immediate, positive impact on our program beginning in the fall of 2025."
 
Cassie Chesnut
Forward
Lake Forest Park, Washington
Shorecrest High School
Intended Major: Biology
 
A 6-2 forward from Washington, Chesnut has lettered in four seasons of high school basketball at Shorecrest High School. She was a first team all-league selection in the 2023-24 season, totaling eight double-doubles across the year while also earning her team's GRIT award, and a school-wide athlete of the year award, earning selection to the Washington All-State Game. Chesnut also earned second team all-league honors in 2022-23 and was selected as team captain for her upcoming 2024-25 season. She has also been a standout soccer player, earning multiple all-league selections, including a pair of first-team honors, and was a second team all-state selection in 2023-24. Chesnut has also excelled in the classroom and has earned induction into her school's National Honor Society.
 
Coach Woodin on Chesnut: "Cassie is a major signee for us. She received many offers, including multiple D1 schools. She is a rare combination of size and athleticism. Cassie is a versatile 6'2" forward who runs the floor and can guard multiple positions. She plays very hard and is a force on the boards. Cassie is a multi-sport athlete who wants to get better, and we are excited to have her join our women's basketball program."
 
 
Chesnut on choosing MSUB: "I am excited to come play basketball at a high level at MSUB. I chose MSUB because the basketball community felt like family from the moment I walked into the gym. The team seemed close and inviting, and the coaches were welcoming. I also loved the city of Billings. My mom used to live there and showed me around my first time there. The city is big, and the rims are beautiful. I look forward to exploring the outdoor and experiencing all Billings has to offer."
 
Tailey Harris
Guard
Billings, Montana
Lockwood High School
Intended Major: Psychology
 
Participating in four years of high school basketball at Lockwood High School, Harris has been a standout since her freshman season with the Lions, earning all-conference honors in all three seasons she has completed so far. The 5-6 guard has also been a two-time all-state selection and helped to lead her team to the program's first ever Class A state tournament last season. Harris has scored over 1,000 career points in her high school career and has twice been named her team's MVP. She has participated in two seasons of flag football at Lockwood, scoring 17 touchdowns at receiver this previous season, along with one season of cross country.
 
Coach Woodin on Harris: "Tailey's skill level is very high. She can score at all levels and loves to compete. Tailey has had an unbelievable career at Lockwood, and it's been great watching both her team and her improve over the years. Tailey can play multiple guard positions and makes her teammates better. I love the passion she has on the court, and she will be a great fit for our MSUB women's basketball program."
 
Harris on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSU Billings because it perfectly aligns with my goals both on and off the court. The academic programs fit my career aspirations, the athletic program has a strong reputation, and I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to the team. The scholarship is a blessing, and the location combined with the welcoming campus environment feels like the ideal place for me to grow as a student-athlete."
 
 
Lauren Kuhbacher
Forward
Gillette, Wyoming
Campbell County High School
Intended Major: Health and Human Performance
 
Kuhbacher, a 5-9 forward, has participated and lettered in all four seasons of her high school basketball career at Campbell County High School, earning team captain honors ahead of her senior season. Joining her high school teammate Kaylie Neary in signing with the Yellowjackets, Kubacher was a first team all-conference and second team all-state selection last season, after helping lead Campbell County to a regional championship, and a second-place finish at state. Kuhbacher is also an honor roll student, and has lettered in two seasons of high school volleyball, and one season of tennis.
 
Coach Woodin on Kuhbacher: "Lauren is a versatile player who plays extremely hard. At our camp last summer, she impressed us with her effort and ability to rebound the basketball. Like Kaylie, Lauren has been an amazing multi-sport athlete and student at Gillette. She can guard any position, and her versatility and leadership make her a great addition to our women's basketball program."
 
Kuhbacher on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the amazing culture and program. Everyone feels like family, and there is strong community support. MSUB provides great academic and athletic opportunities. I am excited to be a Yellowjacket!"
 
 
Shelbi LaBrie
Guard
Whitewater, Montana
Whitewater High School
Intended Major: Biology
 
LaBrie joins the 'Jackets from Whitewater High School, where she has played four seasons of high school basketball. LaBrie helped guide the Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale co-op basketball team to a pair of Class C state championships. She has been an all-state selection each year, leading her team in shooting percentage last season. LaBrie also participated in volleyball, cross country, and track & field, earning all-state and academic all-state honors in each of her sports. She has been a member of two state cross country championship teams, and as an individual has won two state championships in the mile, and one in the two-mile race. She holds the Whitewater school record in the 800m, 1600m, 3200m, and the 4x400m relay.
 
Coach Woodin on LaBrie: "Shelbi plays extremely hard and is the type of student-athlete you want in your program. She has been a part of multiple state high school basketball championship teams and won multiple individual state cross country championships. Shelbi is a determined player and great teammate who is a consistent leader both on the court and in the classroom."
 
LaBrie on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because I've always enjoyed being around and getting to know both the players and coaching staff year after year when attending camp. MSUB gives a unique feeling when on campus and their basketball team is easy to be fond of with them being a competitive team who knows how to win. Everyone I know who has gone through MSUB has had only great things to say about the program and I like that the size of the classes isn't at all that big. MSUB also has the right courses for me to continue working for my dream of becoming and vet so it seems like a perfect fit for me!"
 
 
Kaylie Neary
Guard
Gillette, Wyoming
Campbell County High School
Intended Major: Biology
 
Neary joins her high school teammate Lauren Kuhbacher in joining the Yellowjackets after competing in four seasons of high school basketball at Campbell County High School. A 5-6 guard, Neary is a team captain for the Camels heading into her senior season, and has been an all-conference and all-state selection. Neary averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.4 steals in her junior season for Campbell County, helping the team finish second at the state tournament. Neary has also participated in three seasons of volleyball as a setter, lettering twice, and lettered one season of tennis. Kaylie is also the sister of former MSUB men's basketball player Tyler Neary.
 
Coach Woodin on Neary: "Kaylie is a great competitor, and I love the way she guards defensively. She will play multiple guard positions for us and does whatever her team needs to win. Kaylie is a multi-sport athlete and has a great understanding of the game. She consistently makes the right decision on the court and has enjoyed great success on and off the court at Gillette."
 
Neary on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of how good the culture felt when I first attended the team camp. I saw the way all the players interacted with each other and the coaches. They were very welcoming to us as campers. I was born in Miles City, and always wanted to go back to Montana, so it worked out for me. My brother was on the men's basketball team and my dad helped coach for a while. Getting the chance to be a part of a winning culture where everyone is family really stuck out to me. Also getting the opportunity to play for Coach Woodin is special because he is a great coach. After my first talk with all the coaches and then my visit, I had no doubt this was the right fit for me. I am very grateful and can't wait to get to MSUB!"
 
 
Rae Smart
Forward
Billings, Montana
Skyview High School
Intended Major: Health & Human Performance
 
Smart signs with plans to be a dual-sport athlete at MSUB, and will also compete in track & field for the Yellowjackets. Heading into her final season of high school basketball, the 5-9 player has lettered twice in her career, helping to lead Skyview to an undefeated season in 2023-24, winning both divisional and state championships with the Falcons. Smart was selected to the AA all-state team last season, and was also a first-team all-conference selection, after averaging 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 steals. Smart has also been an all-state level thrower at Skyview, participating in three seasons and earning all-conference honors every year. She most recently earned all-state honors in the javelin, discus, and shot put in 2024. Smart also participated in four years of high school soccer, scoring 31 career goals and adding 20 career assists, and was selected to the AA all-state team twice.
 
Coach Woodin on Smart: "Rae will compete in both women's basketball and track at MSUB. I have been impressed with Rae's competitiveness on the court and she has a tremendous basketball IQ. She has been a part of some very successful Skyview basketball teams and her leadership and ability to impact game on both ends were keys to her team's success. Rae is a strong player with an impressive academic resume. I believe her best basketball is still to come."
 
Smart on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB as I am very familiar with the program and the success that the team has had over the last several years. The coaching staff and the players are the exact culture that I'm looking for, Coach Woodin, Coach Breen, Coach Woehl, and Coach Nels have given me the opportunity to continue with both my basketball and track & field at the collegiate level, which was a priority in choosing where to continue my academic and athletic careers. I have grown up watching MSUB women's basketball, and I am extremely excited to be a part of the winning tradition and the Yellowjacket family!"