HOUSTON, Texas -- The Texas Southern University Head Women's Basketball Coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry has released her complete 2013 recruiting class.TSU has announced that Kiana Ingram (Houston, Texas) Miracle Davis (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Dana Jones (Gulfport, Mississippi), Sarah Williams (Roanoke, Virginia) Tashara Jones (Douglasville, Georgia), Ashley Ferguson (Arlington, Texas) and Jazzmin Parker (Houston, Texas) have each signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their education and basketball careers at the Texas Southern University.
"I think our staff did a great job this year of recruiting quality student-athletes that will help our program to continue to grow," said TSU head women's basketball coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry. "Overall we feel like we've filled our major needs going into next season."
Last season the Texas Southern Lady Tigers basketball program won their first ever Southwestern Athletic Conference title after dominating league play throughout the year. TSU reeled off a school record 15 consecutive wins en route to claiming the number one seed in the 2013 SWAC Basketball Tournament.
"The young ladies that we have signed all have one thing in common they are all competitors," said Hayes-Perry. "I believe that each of these ladies possess the skill sets needed to step in and make immediate impacts within our program."
The Lady Tigers 2013 recruiting class features a total of three freshman and four college/JUCO transfers. The seven student-athletes hail from five states (Virginia, Oklahoma, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas) and all of them arrive to TSU after competing on quality basketball programs prior to their arrival.
"Hopefully we can be a melting pot," said Hayes-Perry. "With seven new faces on the team it is important that our team chemistry is good. I certainly feel this will be a direct affect on how well our incoming student-athletes are able transition and pickup our teams' philosophies and goals. This all will play a major role in the amount of success we're able to have this upcoming season. We feel like we've put together a quality team with our new additions and the return of several key players from our squad last year."
Sarah Williams
5'6 Guard
Roanoke, Virginia
Tallahassee CC
Started in 11 games a Tallahassee Community College while participating in a total of 17 contests due to a severe ankle injury. Played a total of 417 minutes averaging 5.8 points per game along with 2.4 rebounds per outing. Tallied 33 assists and 24 steals. Played on average 24.5 minutes per contests while contributing 99 points. Initially verbal to Virginia Tech.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Sarah Williams:
"Sarah is a smart point guard and she has shown the ability to lead a team. She distributes the ball well and she also defends well. We will look for her to be our floor general for our team."
Miracle Davis
5'11 Guard/Forward
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Allen CC
Davis was as an Honorable Mention selection for Allen Community College after posting impressive numbers. She started 23 out of 26 games tallying 176 points scoring on average 6.8 points per game. She also contributed to her team on the defensive end of the floor racking up 52 steals and 3 blocked shots. Davis averaged 6.6 rebounds per outing to go along with 112 assists. She shot 35.5 percent from the floor and was one of her teams' key scoring threats offensively.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Miracle Davis:
"Miracle Davis is a JUCO transfer that is extremely versatile as she can play positions one through three. She is a solid player, very vocal and a good defender."
Kiana Ingram (VIDEO)
5'7 Guard
Houston, Texas
Kempner High School
Ingram scored a season high 35 points during her senior season against Stratford High School. During her senior campaign Ingram averaged 15.9 points per game along with 3.5 rebounds. She also contributed 3.5 steals per contest on the defensive end of the floor while dishing out 2.3 assists a game offensively. She was one of her teams' premier scoring threats while proving valuable team leadership on and off the court.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Kiana Ingram:
"Kiana is a combo guard defensively she is aggressive on the ball, she is a very long build which should be great going thru passing lanes. Offensively she looks to get her teammates in positions to score easy baskets.''
Tashara Jones
5'10 Guard
Douglasville, GA
Lithia Springs High School
Tashara Jones attended Lithia Springs High School. She was named 2011-12 Douglas County Sentinel Girls' Co-Player of the Year. Jones, who served as a team captain, was the shining star for Lithia Springs. Her individual accolades include leading the county in scoring with 18.8 points per game and dropping a career-high 42 points versus Kell. She finished her junior campaign as the team's leading scorer and third leading rebounder. A native of Pensacola, Florida, Jones' athletic talents have also been on display playing with the AAU Atlanta Celtics. Tashara chose Texas Southern over Miami, Clemson, Auburn, and Prairie View A&M.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Tashara Jones:
"Tashara will be a great addition to our program, not only can she score the ball but she also has very good vision. She played point guard in high school but we plan to utilize her at the wing position. She is a rebounding guard that is capable of being a good defender"
Jazzmin Parker
5'8 Guard
Houston, TX
TCU/Blinn JC
Jazzmin Parker played at Mayde Creek High School. She was named team MVP in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Parker was also named all-state in 2010 and 2011 by the TABC. She was named 3-Time 1st All-District honoree, 2-Time TABC All-Region, District MVP and Houston Girls Coaches Association All-Star Selection in 2011. Parker was ranked the 34th best guard in the nation by ESPN HoopGurlz, 7th best guard in Texas by Premier Basketball Report, and the No. 18 ranked player in Texas. Parker was also ranked as the No. 96th ranked player in the country by Dan Olson of the Collegiate Girls Report. Parker averaged 23 pts, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in her senior campaign. She closed her school career owning a total of six school records, including career points (1,892), most points in a single season (750), and best career average (19.5). Jazzmin signed with TCU in 2011 before transferring to Blinn JC.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Jazzmin Parker:
"Jazzmin Parker is a transfer that we expect to contribute to our team immediately. She is a prolific scorer and she has one of the best mid range jumper that I've seen in a long time in women's basketball. She can score the ball from just about anywhere on the court and she has a solid three point shooter."
Ashley Ferguson
6'1 Forward
Arlington, TX
Bowie High School
Ashley Ferguson will arrive on the Texas Southern campus after an impressive career at Arlington Bowie High School. She was inducted into the Arlington Wall of Fame. She was named District Newcomer of the Year her sophomore season. She was named 1st Team All-District as a junior/senior year. District MVP her junior/senior year as well. Ferguson averaged 13 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steal per game as a junior. As a senior she averaged 17.5 pts, 11 rebound, 2 blocks a game. She was also named to the All-District team. Ferguson chose Texas Southern over Southern Mississippi and University of Alabama-Birmingham, and ORU.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Ashley Ferguson:
"Ferguson has great hands and a knack for getting her hands on the ball defensively. She has shown the ability to make smart plays both offensively and defensively." Looking forward to working with her around the basket.
Dana Jones
6'0 Forward
Gulfport, Miss.
East Carolina University
As a Freshman at ECU (2011-12): Played in 25 contests during her rookie campaign. Missed five games from Jan. 6-28 due to a foot injury. Ranked third on the squad in free throw percentage (.756). Netted a career-best 19 points against Virginia Intermont (11/17) while setting her personal high in rebounds with six versus Elon (11/27). Shot 5-for-7 from the field and 7-for-10 from behind the free throw line against the Cobras. Pulled down three offensive rebounds at Southern Miss (2/5). Averaged 12.3 points per game as a senior at Gulfport High School, where she helped revive the Lady Admiral program. The versatile athlete was named Gulfport's most valuable player the last two seasons and earned a plethora of honors - including selection to the Division 8 6A All-Tournament Team, All-South Mississippi 6A accolades and All-Division 8 6A laurels. Was also tabbed to the All-Sun Herald Coast Team. As a senior, was listed as the 37th-best prospect out of Mississippi by FILA.
Coach Hayes-Perry on Dana Jones:
"Dana Jones will bring a lot of versatility to our team as she passes the ball well and is a solid scoring option. She can play the three or four positions and does a great job rebounding the ball. She will be a solid addition to our team."
By Andrew Roberts, Sports Information Director W Sports
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
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