FAMU signs a diamond in ASHLEY HAMPTON

FAMU Coach Debra Clark has Lady Rattlers 3-0 on the 2007-08 season.

Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers basketball coach Debra Clark had successful surgery to remove her thyroid on Wednesday morning. Clark, in the final year of her contract did not let that stop her from moving the program forward and her assistants were able to keep the Lady Rattlers undefeated at 3-0 with a victory over Albany State on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, Coach Clark signed to a national letter-of-intent Ashley Hampton, senior forward with St. John Lutheran, who is a top basketball and volleyball player in the Ocala, Florida region. Basketball was the sport that many took notice of the 5-foot-9 senior, as she also drew interest from Harvard and Princeton, thanks to a grade-point average of 4.42.

Seven relatives of Hampton has graduated from FAMU. She joins her uncle Whitfield Jenkins, as members of the family who have signed athletic scholarships with the Rattlers.

"They stayed in contact with me from there and also contacted my coach," Hampton said. "They kept up with me and then we had a home visit and then I went on my official visit and I was sold (on the school)."

As a volleyball player, Hampton started each of the past three seasons on the varsity, after moving up at the end of the freshman season. She played in three consecutive Class 1A Final Fours, including the state title game in 2006.

In basketball, Hampton plays the guard position and entered her senior season with a school record 1239 points. Last season, she received second team All-State honors, averaging 16.2 points and 10 rebounds per game, in leading the Saints to their third consecutive district championship and advancement to the regional semifinals. Hampton was also selected as the FACA's District 7 MVP for Class 1A.

Photo: All-Stater Ashley Hampton is expected to become a star in both the classroom and on the basketball court at FAMU, in 2008-09.

Her mother, Kimberly Pompey-Bell is the second year head coach of St. John Lutheran School Varsity & J.V Girls Basketball programs. She is pleased in her daughter's selection of FAMU. "She wanted to go where she could major in pharmacy, and she's real excited about this chance."

Ashley's mother is no stranger to Division I women basketball, having been a star player at Ocala Vanguard and the University of South Alabama, where she still holds the school record for most 3-pointers.

"A lot of people helped play a part in this," Ashley said. "I really enjoyed my time at St. John and I feel very prepared for what lies ahead."

FAMU currently has 15 players on its roster and Hampton will play the three-guard in college.

Two of the Rattlers' three players at that spot will graduate this season, so she will have a chance to get into the mix right away.

"They are a running team and their coach (Debra Clark) liked the way that I run the floor and finished on the fast break," Hampton said. "My main focus throughout school was academics and I also love sports. Why not use sports to help with my academics? It has really worked out well."

Due to Coach Clark's recovery period, she will miss the Lady Rattlers game with Savannah State University on November 20. However, with Ashley Hampton signed for next season, her recovery should be a little less painful and peaceful.

Congratulations to Ashley Hampton and her family for continuing the Rattlers tradition of excellence. Get well soon, Coach Clark! Go Rattlers!