ATLANTA—(June 14, 2010) – New women's basketball head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener has signed five student-athletes to play basketball at Georgia State.
Three of the incoming players are high school seniors, one is a transfer from a Division I school and one is a junior college transfer. They join the two post players who signed in the fall and the seven returning letterwinners.
The five new signees, listed alphabetically:
Lanajia Ernest 5-6 PG Jr Stockton, Calif. San Joaquin Delta College (Sheldon HS)
Nicole Hargraves 6-2 F Jr Greensboro, N.C. Charlotte (Grimsley HS)
Jamie Jordan 6-1 F Fr. Fletcher, N.C. Veritas Christian Academy (N.C.)
Kendra Long 5-9 G Fr. Atlanta, Ga. Mays HS
Victoria Smith 6-3 F Fr. Gosford, Australia Lake Forest Academy (Ill.)
“These five are all outstanding basketball players and we are delighted they chose Georgia State,” head coach Baldwin-Tener said. “They will make an immediate impact for our program and blend in well with the current members of the team. I am excited about the potential these student-athletes possess and look forward to getting started.”
Ernest was a first-team All-Big 8 Conference point guard at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif. where she averaged 10 points and 4.5 assists a game. She produced 22 and 20-point season best scoring games and had 10 games with six or more assists. On defense, she led with a pair of six-steal games. Her JUCO team won more than 50 games the past two seasons. She played her final two seasons of high school ball at Sheldon, where she averaged 5.8 assists per game.
“I think Lanajia is the definition of a point guard,” Baldwin-Tener said. “She thrives in the up-tempo style and is a great passer who sees the whole court. Her junior college experience should make her ready to step in and play a major role for us.”
Hargraves played the last two seasons for the Charlotte 49ers of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The 6-2 post player saw action in 30 games over the two seasons. Hargraves had a distinguished prep career at Grimsley High School in Greensboro where she scored 960 points, grabbed 674 rebounds and blocked 164 shots as a four-time all-conference pick. She will practice with the team this year and gain her transfer eligibility next year.
“Nicole's size and strength, combined with her overall athleticism will provide help in the post,” the new coach noted. “She will practice and learn our system during her transfer year and then be ready to help us the following season.”
Jordan averaged 16 points and 7.3 rebounds a game as a senior at Veritas Christian Academy, earning NACA National All-Tournament team honors. She was also Most Valuable Player of the MLK Tournament and the Bull City Classic Tournament. Known for her shooting touch, her top game of 31 points included 8-for-11 outside the three-point line. As a sophomore, her 68 three-point baskets were just three shy of the all-time National Christian Schools Athletic Association season record. She learned her basketball from her father, who was her high school coach.
“A versatile player, Jamie can extend her game out beyond the three-point arc with her shooting skills or play strong in the post,” Baldwin-Tener said. “Her size and skills will blend together to enable her to play at the college level.”
Long originally signed an NLI with Georgia Tech in November, but was granted her release this spring and signed Georgia State's scholarship offer. The Benjamin A. Mays High School star had been Most Valuable Player of the 2009-10 Georgia-Florida All-Star Game. She can play either as a point guard or a scoring guard. Long was a 1,000-point scorer in high school and once scored 40 points in a game with a reputation as a three-point shooter. As a senior, she played more point guard and averaged six assists per game with a top game of 23 points for 22-5 Region champion Mays. She was named to the All-Region first team for Class 4A Mays HS. Long gained more experience in AAU ball with the Wallace Prather Celtics.
“Kendra showed she was a shooter with good outside range,” Baldwin-Tener noted of the original Georgia Tech signee. “She can play either the one or two on offense and has shown good defensive skills as well. Her balance of scoring and passing should make her able to contribute soon.”
Smith, of Gosford, Australia, played her final season of high school basketball at Lake Forest Academy in the suburbs of Chicago. The 6-foot-3 post player led her team with nine rebounds a game and also added nine points a game.
“With her 6-foot-3 frame, Victoria adds much-needed size to our post presence,” Baldwin-Tener added. “I really think she has the potential to develop into a strong inside player in this league over the next couple of years.”
The two fall signees, 6-foot Letecia Davenport and 6-foot Briana Shepherd, have reported as well to summer school this week at Georgia State.
Davenport, who played prep ball locally at North Hall High, started two years at Sante Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla. At Sante Fe, Davenport scored 498 points (9.1 per game ) with 344 rebounds (6.3) on teams that went 40-15. She shot 45.1% from the field with 81 steals and 27 blocks on defense. Davenport was a star at North Hall High, setting the school record, for male or female, for most points scored (1,937) with multiple 30-plus point scoring games.
Shepherd starred at Birmingham's Erwin High, a top-10 ranked team. The 6-footer scored 1,245 points, grabbed 822 rebounds and blocked 112 shots during her career. She also had 224 assists and 145 steals. Shepherd earned second-team All-State honors, as well as first-team All-Metro and All-County recognition. She was nominated for the McDonald's All-America team. Shepherd was Most Valuable Player in the Northeast Regional Tournament and MVP of the Festival of Phoenix.
“We like what Letecia and Briana showed in reviewing their play and welcome them to begin competing for playing time,” Baldwin-Tener said of the fall signees.
The Panthers of Georgia State return seven letterwinners, led by 6-foot-2 Chandra Harris, 6-foot Angeligue Burtts and 5-foot-9 guard Traci Haltiwanger.
“It is great that the team can come to summer school and work on their academics, while beginning the conditioning and fundamentals needed for the basketball season,” the coach who was hired from East Carolina on April 16 said.
Season tickets to Georgia State's home games are on sale by calling 866-GA-STATE.
