Women's basketball signs 10 recruits

FAMU coach LeDawn Gibson released her list of 2011 signees, yesterday. The class of 10 recruits represents a rebuild of the team that went 15-15 last season. In an effort to get a combination of players ready to play immediately and talent that the coaching staff will develop in building the program, the Lady Rattlers welcome four junior college transfers and six high school recruits.

Leading the class of signees is the Illinois Valley Community College standout Shannon Washington. Washington is a two-time junior college All-American and two-time 1st team all-conference player. The 5'11" guard from Sarasota, averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, five steals and five assists per game. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn., honored her for her play last season.

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the country's top players on all levels, from pro to high school. In making the team, Washington's jersey will hang in the ring of honor at the museum in Tennessee, where she is among other greats such as Candace Parker (Univ. of Tennessee), Sue Byrd (Univ. of Connecticut) and Britney Griner (Baylor).



Keturah Martin will also join the Lady Rattlers this fall. Martin is a junior college transfer from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Last season she averaged 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. She is a 5'11" guard from Memphis, Tenn.

Ra'Shawn Sparkman is a versatile 5'8" guard from Columbia, Tenn. She signs with FAMU, via Volunteer State Community College. She was a junior college All-American, averaging 14 points, five assists and four rebounds per game last year. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at FAMU.

Patrice Collie is a 5'10" guard out of Palm Beach. As a freshman at Indian River State College, she averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game. She was a second team all-conference selection. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at FAMU.

Carrington Caise comes to the Lady Rattlers from Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Ky. Caise stands 5'7" and plays point guard. Her senior year, she earned 1st team all-conference, all-district team, all-region team, all-region tournament and best defender awards. She averaged 10 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds per game last season.

Cashala Thompson is a 5'8" guard from Tucson, Az., where she attended Sahuaro High School. Thompson averaged 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. She is the all-time leading scorer in Sahuaro High School history. She attained All-Southern Arizona and first team All-State honors. She was also the Kino Region 4A Co-player of the year.

Jaleesa Blue is a 6'0" combo player form Leesburg. She averaged 11.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocked shots per game as a senior at Leesburg High School. She was honored as the Lakes County Player of the Year. She also made 1st team All-State. She was ranked the No.1 power forward in the state of Florida. She holds the record for most rebounds and blocked shots in Leesburg High School history.

Kaylin (6'1") and Jamie Foreman (5'11") are a sister tandem from Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, S.C.

Kaylin averaged 10.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, two assists, 1.3 blocks and two steals per game her senior year. She lettered three years in volleyball and four years in basketball. She made the all-region team in both volleyball and basketball.

Jamie averaged 19 points, 12.3 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals per game. She was the Augusta Chronicle Basketball Player of the Year. She averaged a double-double her junior and senior years in high school. She scored 1,362 points in high school. She was selected as an all-region player and the most valuable player.

Kabrina Merriweather is a 5'11" forward/center from Indianapolis. She averaged 20.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. She was selected 1st team all-city her junior and senior seasons and team MVP her senior year. She finished her career with 1,494 points and 1017 rebounds.