April 11, 2007

 FORD SIGNS SIX TO 2007 RECRUITING CLASS

BOONEVILLE, Miss.--  Northeast Mississippi Community College head women’s basketball coach Ricky Ford continued preparations for the 2007-08 season by signing six area standouts to be Lady Tigers next season.

Booneville Lady Blue Devil guard Suzanne Ford (5’6”) and forward Jennifer Justice (5’10”) and Thrasher Lady Rebel guard Ashley Norris (5’7”) officially became the newest members of the Northeast Lady Tigers at signing ceremonies on the first day of the basketball signing period at their respective high schools.

Ford averaged 12 points, five assists and three steals for the Lady Blue Devils during the 2006-07 season.  For her performance on the floor she was named All-Prentiss County, All-Division 1-3A, 3A All-North Half and 3A All State.  Justice hit for 23 points and six rebounds per game last season for the Lady Blue Devils. She was selected All-Prentiss County, All-Division 1-3A and 3A All-North Half.  The Ford/Justice tandem helped lead the Lady Blue Devils to a runners-up finish in the 3A North Half Tournament and a State Tournament appearance.

Norris accounted for 18.6 points, seven rebounds and three steals per game for the Lady Rebels.  She was also named All-Prentiss County, All-Division 1-1A and 1A All-North Half.  Norris is the all-time leading scorer in Lady Rebel history, totaling 2,707 points during her five-year career (eighth grade through twelfth grade) on the varsity team.

“Obviously, Suzanne is very familiar with our program and tradition,” Ford said of his daughter, “but she’s worked hard to get to this point and we expect a lot of her just like we do of all our players.  She will add quality depth to our guard rotation next season.  Jennifer is a front line player that has shown the ability to score and also rebound,” Ford said.  We are always glad to add that type of versatility to our roster.

“Ashley can shoot and dribble and she likes to get up and down the floor,” Ford said.  She will fit in well with the way we like to play the game.”     

“All three of these kids are exactly the kind of people we recruit into our program, and we found them right in our back yard so to speak,” Ford said.  “They are quality young ladies that will represent Northeast well on and off the basketball court.  We are very proud to have them on our team.” 

DAY TWO, THREE MORE SIGNEES

Ford added three more to his 2007 signing class, bringing the total number of Lady Tigers signees to six on Tuesday, April 10, as guards Erika Wright and Ebony Crayton from McNairy Central High School in Tennessee, joined Brittany Vuncannon from Pine Grove in signing letters of intent to play for the defending State Champion Northeast Lady Tigers.

“We’ve really made a name for ourselves with guards who could run over the last few years,” said Ricky Ford, “and these girls really fit that mold. Erika is a tall guard who is a really good defensive player. Ebony, like Erika, is 5’9” and can really score. Brittany played on a great team for Pine Grove this past season, and the thing I like most about her is her attitude, her toughness, and her knack for hitting big shots.”

Erika Wright averaged 17 and seven rebounds per game her senior season, earning All Region 6 AAAll honors, as well as West Tennessee First Team All District 12 AA.

Ebony Crayton averaged 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals a game this past season. She is McNairy Central’s all-time leading scorer and was named District 12 AA MVP,

Region 6 AA MVP, and selected to the All West Tennessee First Team.

Brittany Vuncannon averaged 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and there steals this past season. She was voted All Division 1-1A, Tippah County MVP, Hill Country Conference MVP for the past two seasons.

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