Lady T-Birds reloading for 2015-16 campaign
4-time defending WJCAC champs add nine in 2015 recruiting class
HOBBS, N.M. — The four-time defending WJCAC champion New Mexico Junior College women's basketball team completed its 2015 recruiting class and it looks to be another strong crop that should help the Lady Thunderbirds toward reaching its goals for the 2015-16 season.
Eight freshmen and a sophomore transfer will join NMJC's five returnees as the Lady T-Birds look to make their fourth NJCAA National Tournament appearance in five years after going 29-4 last season, winning the Region 5 championship and making it to the NJCAA National Tournament quarterfinals.
"Until we develop chemistry, who knows what kind of team we will be," said NMJC coach Drew Sanders, who enters his ninth season at the helm. "From a talent standpoint, we are very good."
NMJC returns WJCAC Freshman of the Year and All-WJCAC performer Alana da Silva after the 5-foot-6 point guard averaged 7.4 points, 4.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 steals. Joining da Silva from last season's team is 5-foot-10 Nycolle Smith (7.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg), 5-foot-6 Camille Mills (3.9 ppg, 1.1 spg) and 5-foot-6 guard Joneva Huey (2.8 ppg).
NMJC will also be returning sharp-shooting guard Blair Richmond after the sophomore missed all of last season due to a knee injury. In 2013-14 for NMJC, the 5-foot-8 Richmond averaged 7.4 points per game and connected on 34.2 percent of her 3-point attempts.
Here is a list of the newcomers that will be taking the floor for NMJC during the 2015-16 season:
Sophomore
- Rodneisha Freeman (6-5, post), Washington D.C. (Kaskaskia College): A long, tall and athletic player that could be a shot blocking force on defense for NMJC this season. She last played at Kaskaskia College during the 2013-14 season, averaging 8.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.
Freshmen
- Shaniya Mitchell (5-10, guard/forward), Bay City, Texas (Bay City High): Mitchell averaged 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.1 steals, 4.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per game as a senior at Bay City High School in Texas. She also finished second in the high jump at the Texas 4A state championships and helped a pair of relay teams finish in the top five. A very skilled player who can shoot, dribble and pass who has the ability to be a defensive stopper as well.
- Ashley Perez (5-6, guard), Albuquerque, N.M. (Albuquerque High): Perez is a true point guard that handles the ball and sees the floor well. Averaged 15.9 points, 7.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game for Albuquerque High last season.
- Shannon Powell (5-6, guard), El Paso, Texas (Bel Air High): Powell is a playmaker who doesn't necessarily do one thing great, but does all things well. A strong frame for a guard, Powell led a 24-7 El Paso Bel Air team in scoring (14.8), rebounding (5.4) and assists (1.8) and was second in steals (1.8) last season.
- Daiane Machado (6-1, forward), Sao Paulo, Brazil: Machado will be a strong presence at the power forward position for NMJC this season. Can shoot the three as well as take a player off the dribble. A face-up player who Sanders compares somewhat to NMJC's NJCAA All-American last season Angelica de Paulo. Has played on some of Brazil's youth national teams as well.
- Dezirae Hampton (5-10, guard), Arlington, Texas (Lamar High): Hampton is another tall wing out of the state of Texas who can score. A spot up shooter who can score in other fashions, Hampton led Arlington Lamar last season in scoring (17.9), rebounding (7.1), assists (1.2) and blocks (0.9). She was named District 4-6A Offensive Player of the Year for the 2014-15 season.
- Alexis Winters (5-11, forward), El Paso, Texas (Chapin High): Winters comes to NMJC after leading El Paso Chapin in scoring (12.6), rebounding (7.0), blocks (0.7) while also adding 1.5 steals per contest, helping her team to a 23-7 mark and an appearance in the Class 5A state tournament. Winters primarily played center last season, but will make the adjustment to playing small forward and power forward for the Lady T-Birds.
- Ekatarina Zhibereva (6-1, foward), St. Petersburg, Russia: Zhibereva is a face-to-the-basket power forward who has quick feet for her size.
- Natalia Gwarda (6-2, post), Lodz, Poland: Gwarda is a back-to-the-basket scorer who could be a force in the middle for the Lady T-Birds. She played on the U18 Polish National Team.