UMES Women's Basketball Signs Five Newcomers

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – After a successful run in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament in 2015, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women’s Basketball program announced the signing of five new recruits for the upcoming season: Tantania Brown (Washington, D.C.); Ciani Byrom (Greensboro, N.C.); Keyera Eaton (Winston-Salem, N.C.); Jean Martin (Jacksonville, Fla.); and Tori Morris (Herndon, Va.).

“This is one of the toughest classes we’ve recruited,” said UMES Women’s Basketball Fred Batchelor. “These ladies bring the mental aspect and physicality we need to make us better.”
 

Brown arrives to UMES from Anacostia H.S. in our nation’s capital. In her senior season, Brown guided her squad to a 19-10 overall record and the 2015 District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) Championship.
 

“I am going to max out and give it my all,” said Brown. “I will continue to work hard and help my team in any way I can.”
 

The three-sport honor roll student-athlete will major in communications in the fall.

 

"Tan has a lot of heart and toughness,” said Coach Batchelor and added that, “her determination to survive will help her on the court and beyond basketball too.”

In her final season, Byrom guided her club to the 2015 National Championship after going 29-2 overall. In her efforts, she was named 2015 National Most Valuable Player (MVP). Furthermore, the North Carolina native was a four-time All-Star for her club team.

“I am very competitive,” Byrom stated. “I am going to strive to get better and keep the intensity going every game.”

The two-sport lettermen graduated Cum Laude and will study criminal justice for the Lady Hawks.

“Cece is a triple-threat guard,” said Batchelor. “She’s aggressive and quick on both ends of the floor. She will make a huge impact on our league sooner than later.”

Fellow Tar Heel Keyera Eaton attended RJ Reynolds H.S. in Winston-Salem, the same high school as the late ESPN sports anchor Stuart Scott. In her senior year, Eaton helped the squad to a 27-1 overall record.
 

“I want to continue to get better,” said Eaton. “I want to be a strong role player and important factor to the team.”
 

Additionally, she was a two-time All-Conference selection and an All-Northwest honoree.
 

“Keke is a high motor, intangible player that impacts both ends” Batchelor added. “Her length and quickness allows her to attack the basket at-will.”

 

Ra’Jean Martin hails from Jacksonville, Fla. where she attended The Potter House Christian Academy. The four-year lettermen won three state championships while accumulating a 38-5 overall record in her final season.
 

“I want to become great,” Martin explained. “I want to get better every day and shoot a high percentage from three-point range.”
 

Martin plans to study aviation in the fall semester.

 

“Ra’Jean has a desire to be great,” Batchelor said. “She’s a wrecking ball on both ends. Her toughness, heart, and drive will bring her success.”

 

Morris is the lone transfer on the team, arriving from Western Athletic Conference (WAC) competitor Grand Canyon (Ariz.). Last season, she played 25 contests with four starts as a sophomore. In high school, Morris was a two-time All-Arlington County selection at Bishop O’Connell H.S.
 

“I want to help the team win a MEAC Championship,” said Morris. “I am striving to get better each day and be ready when my number is called.”
 

The Virginia product will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.
 

“Tori is a solid player with great touch around the basket,” Batchelor stated. “She’s got great footwork and a variety of low-post skills.”
 

The five newcomers join a veteran cast, consisting of 10 returners, led by All-Rookie selection Moengaroa Subritzky (Auckland, New Zealand) and 2015 MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Alexis Udoji (Randolph, Mass.).

  

For complete news of Hawk athletics, please visit www.umeshawks.com.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION