Last season, despite the loss of five key players to injury, Alabama State women’s basketball coach Freda Freeman-Jackson literally willed her team into the SWAC tournament.

Today, Freeman-Jackson announced the signing of seven players that she believes will help her team re-establish their spot among the elite in the SWAC.

“We’re very excited about the incredible quality and versatility of this group,” Freeman-Jackson said. “We were successful in getting size, speed, and scoring. It’s rare that all of that can be accomplished in the same class.”

Considering the depth retuning in the back court, Freeman-Jackson focused a great deal of her recruiting on players who can contribute inside the paint. That emphasis paid off as the Lady Hornets inked four players ranging from 5′9 to 6′3, who can score, rebound and defend.

However, with the departing of all-time assists leader Shantae Robinson makes the point guard position a major need to fill.

Five prep stars and two junior college standouts will join ASU in the fall. All will be counted on to immediately compete for playing time. A couple of the players - Jakayla Hill and Richelle Jones - are already familiar with the Acadome as they led their teams to the Central Region tournament in 2008.

2008 ASU Lady Hornets’ Signees Bios

Name Height PositionPrevious School Hometown

Jamie Chambers, 5′9, Forward, NorthWest Shoals Community College (Memphis, TN)Named Defensive Player of the Year, but also considered a defensive stopper that has the ability to score. Athletic and very quick for her size. Picked for the Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game.

Raven Hicks, 5′10, Forward, Cheyenne High School (Las Vegas, Nevada)Smooth scorer who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game. Size and ability should allow her to challenge for playing time immediately.Jakayla Hill, 5′6, Point guard, Jess Lanier High School (Birmingham, Ala.)Dynamic floor leader that averaged 11 points, 12 assists, six steals and five rebounds as a senior. Speedy player that can dominate the basketball at either end of the floor. Tremendous in transition, Hill is equally adept at setting up teammates for easy shots or finishing at the basket herself.

LaEra Lewis, 5′5, Guard, Fort Walton Beach High School (Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.)Versatile backcourt star capable of playing either point or shooting guard. Averaged 9 points, seven rebounds and five steals last season. Named 1st team All-Area and teammate of fellow ASU signee Tandria Milton.

Tandria Milton, 5′7, Guard, Fort Walton Beach High School (Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.)Earned MVP honors at the Freedom All-Star Classic in Panama City, Florida by pouring in 19 points. Was named All-State Honorable Mention by the Florida Sportswriters Association. Also picked up 1st team All-Area, Fort Walton Beach Player of the Year and Co-Player of the year in her district.

Briana Thomas, 5′11, Forward, Bevill State Community College (Clearwater, Fla.)Averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds per game on team that finished 24-7. Finished 1st in her division in field goal percentage (64%), 7th in offensive rebounds (3.4) and 8th in rebounds (8). Played in Alabama/Mississippi All-Star game.

Richelle Jones, 6′3, Senior, Selma High School (Selma, Ala.)Averaged six points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game. Seen as future dominant defensive presence in the paint. Led team to regional championship and Alabama State Final Four.

The original story was published here: http://bamastatesports.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/063008aab.html

Tags: alabama state, alabama state hornets, black college basketball, freda freeman-jackson, hbcu basketball, shantae robinson, swac