Women?s Basketball Inks Four Standouts
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? Third-year head coach Stephany Smith announced today that four preps signed commitments to play for the Alabama women’s basketball program in 2008-09. Ericka Russell, Carmen McCoy, Kayla Robinson, and Candace Sykes make up the class that will be a part of the tradition of Tide basketball.
“With each recruiting class our goal is to bring in a collective group of players that fill voids, add depth and in general make us better,” coach Smith said. “Since our arrival at Alabama we believed that our third recruiting class would be key. We have two recruiting classes currently on campus, and a roster of players committed to putting Alabama Women’s Basketball back on the map. When this third class arrives in Tuscaloosa it will meet up with a core group of players who have operated within our system at least one season and for the first time the experience won’t be that of all underclassmen.”
“Having said that, I feel my staff did a tremendous job accomplishing all things necessary with this 2008 class. We filled voids, we added depth and we definitely made ourselves better. From Alabama we signed Ericka Russell; a 5-7 shooting guard right here in town from Northridge High School, and Carmen McCoy a 6-4 strong bodied center from Leeds High School. In addition, Kayla Robinson, a 6-3 power forward from Raymond, Mississippi and Candace Sykes a 5-10 multiple use guard from St Anne, IL outside of Chicago.”
Ericka Russell will continue her career in her backyard as she hails from Tuscaloosa and plays for coach Lytrice Washington at Northridge High School. Russell averaged 17.1 points per game, 6.8 boards, 4.7 assists and 4.5 steals per game as a junior. Russell has etched her name in the record books at Northridge as she is the first to score more than 1000 career points and 500 points in a single season.
“Ericka grew up in Crimson Tide women’s basketballs back door,” coach Smith noted. “And though she’s too young to remember the years when Alabama was great, she definitely remembers the stories. I recall one of my first conversations with her; “Coach Smith, I want to be a part of bringing greatness back to the women’s game in my hometown.” Those words spoke volumes to me. You take that kind of personal pride and accountability, coupled with amazing character and the ability to play the game; well, that’s a package hard to overlook. Ericka may be most recognizable for her three point shot and playmaking skills, both of which I like, but my favorite aspect of Ericka’s game lies in her ability to defend. She can be relentless defensively when she wants to be.”
Carmen McCoy, a 6-4 center from Leeds High School will bring her post skills to Tuscaloosa. McCoy, who plays for coach Dale Burnette, averaged 12.7 points per game and 13.0 rebounds per contest as a junior. McCoy also added eight blocks a game and helped Leeds to two regional appearances in Mobile her freshman and sophomore seasons.
“Carmen is a low post player with an attitude of controlling the boards,” coach Smith said. “She is the first true center we have signed and has tremendous physical size and presence. Throw in her passion for the game of basketball and a determined work ethic to make herself the best she can be, and her potential is great. She is not the stereotypical “big man” in that her mobility and quickness are two of her greatest strengths. She is young in the game and has a high ceiling for development.”
Kayla Robinson will bring her standout prep credentials to the Capstone. Robinson hails from Raymond, Miss. and plays for coach Shay Jackson at Raymond High School. Robinson led Raymond to a 32-7 mark while pouring in 18.7 points per game and 14 rebounds per night. Robinson, a 6-2 forward also dished out two helpers and tallied two steals per game.
“Kayla is a very strong power forward who can provide great presence around the rim,” coach Smith explained. “However, there is more to her game than just those skills required in the paint. She can knock down the 17-foot shot, attack from the high post and use a variety of moves in the low post which makes her a dominant force. Combine those assets with a transition game and footwork to catch and finish at full speed and we look forward to adding her to our roster.”
Candace Sykes will come to Tuscaloosa from Momence, Ill. where she stars for coach Molly Grasha at Momence High School. Sykes is rated No. 58 in the country by Hoopgurlz.com and No. 19 at her guard position and was a First-Team All-State selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. The 5-10 Sykes averaged 19.6 points per game and 9.7 rebounds while adding 4.5 steals per game and 3.9 assists per contest as a junior. Sykes led her team to a 27-2 mark last season and to the round of 16 at the Super Sectional. The appearance at the sectional was a first for Momence High School.
“Candace is a very well rounded guard who can shoot the deep three with great accuracy,” coach Smith said. “She has solid ball handling skills; athleticism and the ability to play at all guard spots as well as small forward. My favorite trait of Candace as a basketball player, however, is her basketball savvy and how cerebral she is in playing the game. Her talent is very pleasantly gift wrapped with an unassuming and selfless character that teammates love. Any of these attributes individually make her gifted; collectively, they make her pretty special.”
2008 Signing Class:
Carmen McCoy 6-4 center Leeds High School Leeds, Ala.
Kayla Robinson 6-2 forward Raymond High School Raymond, Miss.
Ericka Russell 5-7 guard Northridge High School Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Candace Sykes 5-10 guard Momence High School St. Anne, Ill.
