Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University Lady Golden Bulls basketball coaching staff has announced three National Letter of Intent signees for the upcoming 2010-11 season. Joining JCSU from the Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem, NY is forward Shayla Russell, from Benjamin Banneker Academy in Brooklyn, NY is guard Alexcia Barnes, and from Westover High School in Fayetteville, NC is guard/forward Chante’ Bell.
Russell, a 6-foot native of Bronx, New York, averaged 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game for Frederick Douglass in her senior season. Russell was a New York Post All-Manhattan second team selection and has developed a reputation for her strong moves in the low post.
Barnes, a 5’7 native of Queens, New York, averaged 16.2 points per game for Banneker in her final season. Barnes was acknowledged as a New York Post All-Brooklyn honorable mention. She is known for her speed and athleticism on the court, which helped led her team to the PSAL Class AA second round.
Alexcia Barnes driving up court for the Benjamin Banneker Lady Warriors
Bell, a 5’11 native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, averaged 15.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.7 steals in her senior season. Bell gathered a host of accolades as a Wolverine to include: 2010 All Cape Fear Region honors, 2010 All-District honors, 2010 McDonald’s High School All-American nominee, 2009 Westover High Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year, and a NCHSAA 4A State Championship in 2008.
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“I believe we are fortunate to add talent the caliber of these three young ladies to our basketball team,” said head women’s basketball coach
Vanessa Taylor. “I have been impressed with their personalities and family backgrounds, as well as what they have been able to accomplish as student-athletes. Whenever you have new additions to your team, the hopes/expectations are that they can contribute quickly and I have a good feeling about these three.”
Both Russell and Barnes played as teammates for the Exodus AAU program in New York. Russell fell in love with Johnson C. Smith on her visit and when she discovered that Barnes decided to attend also, it was almost a no-brainer.
Barnes also ran track in high school and is the first female athlete from the school to earn a full athletic scholarship, according to Benjamin Banneker Academy principal Majida Abdul-Karim. Academics were an important part of her decision. Barnes wanted to select a good school with her prospective major (communications). She was also very interested in attending a HBCU like Johnson C. Smith.
Bell was a heavily sought after talent, in fact she was also being recruited at one time by divisional rival and 2010 CIAA Champions Fayetteville State University.
The coaching staff is still in the trenches recruiting and plans to release the names of other signees as they become available.