BALTIMORE, Md. (May 9, 2012)-Morgan State women’s basketball head coach Donald Beasley has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Sabrina Montgomery, Alauna Jackson, Dinah Jones, Summer Reeves, Shabazz Reeves, Simone Sampson and Danielle Robinson will all join the Lady Bears as freshmen for the 2012-13 campaign.
Montgomery, Jackson, Jones, Summer Reeves and Shabazz Reeves signed during the early period in the fall, while Sampson and Robinson signed during the most recent signing period.
A 6-foot-2 center, Montgomery was a four-year player for T.F. North High School in Chicago, Ill., earning first-team all-conference honors, while averaging 11.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game on a team that finished 20-8. Montgomery, who likes having a chance to make her mark as a freshman, was an inside force for her club team of Illinois X-Citement. Her club team coach, Xavier Walton said, “she has really worked at getting better.”
“Sabrina [Montgomery] is a physical post who enjoys contact and can be a very dominate rebounding force,” said Morgan State recruiting coordinator Chris Lewis. “She has the ability to force double teams in the low block and help initiate transition baskets with her defensive rebounding. She will be a great addition for us in the post.”
Jackson is a post player that stands 6-foot-1 and was the leading scorer for the Maryland 3A State runner ups – River Hill High in Columbia Md. Jackson averaged a team-high 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 block shots during the state tournament. She was able to lead her team to the championship game in her only season at River Hill after being a standout performer at Howard High School the year before.
“Alauna Jackson is a forward who excels in the half court, because of her high basketball IQ and overall skill set,” Lewis said. “She has the ability to pass and shoot from the high post as well as finish around the rim using a variety of low post moves while using either hand. She will add more depth at the forward spot with her ability to play both post spots.”
Jones is a 6-foot-1” forward who played at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, Md. According to her former club team coach and Morgan State alum, Donchez Graham of Team Maryland Shooting Stars, “Dinah is an ultra-athletic, fierce rebounder with a very smooth jump shot.” Added Graham,“she worked very hard to improve her ball handling and 3-point shooting this spring and it really showed during the evaluation period. Her best basketball is ahead of her.”
Jones was selected first-team All-Anne Arundel County in 2012 and honorable mention as a junior for Broadneck, was team MVP her senior season and was defensive MVP as a junior after averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. Jones was also an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society and will join the Lady Bears’ volleyball team in the fall.
Summer and Shabazz Reeves, are 5-foot-6 combo guards from Lakota West High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Summer and Shabazz averaged 9.6 and 4.2 points per game respectively in 2010-11. Summer added 5.2 rebounds and Shabazz 1.6 steals per contest. The girls chose MSU over the likes of New Hampshire, Richmond and Saint Francis (Pa.). Shabazz also considered playing soccer at the University of Cincinnati and Summer considered playing basketball at American.
“I chose MSU because I felt most comfortable with the coaching staff and (they) also assured me that my education would come first,” said Shabazz. Summer agreed and is excited to continue playing with her sister. “At MSU I can get a great education and most importantly the coaches make me feel very comfortable,” said Summer. “I am happy Shabazz and I both get to experience this wonderful adventure together. Go Lady Bears!”
“The twins are flat out athletic,” said Lewis. “They both are almost un-guardable in transition with their combination of speed, quickness and ball handling ability. They both have the ability to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions. They will give us a boost in the scoring department, but more importantly they will defend on the perimeter relentlessly. We look forward to them having great success at the college level.”
