WSSU Rams Women's Basketball Announces 2018 Signing Class

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina – The Winston-Salem State Rams women's basketball program will have a new look with the announcement of seven players in the 2018 recruiting class. The incoming Rams will provide the team with some much needed height and scoring punch for the upcoming seasons.

Among the several newcomers will be a pair of post players from junior colleges. Anndrea Lloyd is a 6'3" post player from McLennan Community College. Lloyd played in 27 of the Highlassies games with 14 starts last season. She averaged 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. "Anndrea is a strong post player that will command paint space," Winston-Salem State women's basketball head coach L'Tona Lamonte said.  "She will help us with her versatility and rebounding skills."

Laichelle Sparrow is 6'0" forward who attended Louisburg College. She played in 21 games with seven starts to average 8.7 points per game with 4.7 rebounds per game last season. "Laichelle will come in with three years of eligibility remaining," Lamonte added. "She is a strong post that works hard."

The Rams will also bring in a significant group of newcomers from the high school ranks, including several from the local area. One of the team's key newcomers will be freshman guard Amaya Tucker, a 5'6" guard from nearby Reagan High School. She averaged 17 points per game with five assists per game and finished her career with over 1,660 points to become the team's all-time scoring leader. She was also a four-time all-conference selection, a three-time All-Northwest Team selection, a two-time all-district selection, and the MVP of the Mary Garber Tournament. "Amaya is a great local product that is exciting to watch. She is a basketball junkie who does all of the little things and plays with so much passion and heart," Lamonte added. "She is a complete team player that has the ability to score, which will be an asset for our team."

The Rams will also welcome freshman forward Eugenia Marceilli, a 5'9" player from West Stokes High School who averaged 13 points per game with six rebounds per game. She also earned all-conference honors. She is originally from Rome, Italy earned all-conference honors. "Eugenia will add a European flair to our team," Lamonte added. "Her ability to see the floor and make good passes will be beneficial. She is another one that loves basketball."

Dajha Williams is another 5'10" guard/post from East Wake High School where she averaged 16 points per game with nine rebounds per game. She earned both all-conference and all-district honors. "Dajha is a strong, versatile utility player. She can play four positions on the court," Lamonte added. "Her ability to push that ball on a break, attack the basket, and score from outside will be good for us. She also went to the same high school as former Rams forward Briana Arnold and she has a knack for rebounding."

Joining the Rams' front court will be forward Kharma Patterson. She is a 6'1" forward from Fort Mill High School where she averaged nine points per game with eight rebounds per game. "Kharma is an agile post that can also play the wing. She will help us with her versatility and rebounding skills."

 Hailey Gipson is a 5'5" guard that rounds out the class. "Hailey is a quick, smart guard that can get to the basket with ease."

For more information on Rams women's basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.