Southern unveils Spring 2013 signees

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern University received several National Letters of Intent from prospective student-athletes who will continue their athletic careers in Baton Rouge.

On the heels of an NCAA Tournament appearance that garnered wide-spread national acclaim, men's basketball signed six student-athletes, including three from Baton Rouge and four from the state of Louisiana.

Among head coach Roman Banks third signing class are Tre'Lun Banks - Roman's son - and Jared Sam of Scotlandville. Banks also signed East St. John's Elex Carter, who chose to play at Southern over Tulane and UNO.

Christopher Thomas, a Glen Oaks produce and Baton Rouge native, joins Rashad Andrews of Jamaica, N.Y. and Da'Monte McFarland of Arlington, Texas to complete men's basketball signees from Wednesday.

Nancy Marshall's softball program also receive an NLI for Amanda Pacheco of Highland, Calif. Pacheco, a second baseman and outfielder, prepped at Redlands East Valley High.

Winter Haven, Fla. native Zenekia Willix will join head coach Sandy Pugh's women's basketball program in the fall after signing her NLI to committ to Southern. Willix, a 5-10 guard who prepped at Winter Haven High School, averaged 19.1 points per game, earned first team All-County and finished her career as the third leading rebounder in Winter Haven school history.

Joining Willix on Pugh's team is Cortnei Purnell of Glenda Dawson High School. Purnell, a native of Pearland, Texas, earned first and second team All-District honor while at Glenda Dawson and was named Newcomer of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. 

SOUTHERN U. JAGUARS SPRING 2013 SIGNEES

Men’s Basketball

Rashad Andrew 6-5 G Jamaica, N.Y./Boy’s and Girl’s Club (NY)
Tre’Lun Banks 6-1 G Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville
Elex Carter 6-8 F Reserve, La./East St. John
Da’Monte McFarland 6-9 C Arlington, Texas/Arlington Heights
Jared Sam 6-9 F Baton Rouge, La./Scotlandville
Christopher Thomas 6-4 G Baton Rouge, La./Glen Oaks

Softball
Amanda Pacheco 5-9 OF Highland, Calif./Redlands East Valley

Women’s Basketball           
Cortnei Purnell 5-10 F Pearland, Texas/Glenda Dawson
Zenekia Willix 5-10 G Winter Haven, Fla./Winter Haven

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS