Lady Pirates Sign Two For 2003-04 Season
November 13, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Powell, a 5-6 guard, hails from Hinesville, Ga., where she attends Bradwell Institute and was a teammate of current Lady Pirate LaToya Horton. She averaged 14.5 points, four rebounds, and four assists per game in her junior year for the Tigers. Powell was named Georgia First Team All-State for Class 5A, which is the largest division of high school sports in that state. She was a Street and Smith HM All-American in 2001 and 2002. Powell was named MVP of the Macon Holiday Tournament in 2001 and the Blue Chip Shootout in Louisville, Ky., in 2002.
"Tamekia is a very versatile guard that excels the up-tempo game," said ECU Head Coach Sharon Baldwin. "She can play both the one and the two position and when called on runs the show and scores equally well. Another intangible that Tamekia brings to our program is the fact that she comes from a great high school program with a lot of tradition and (she) definitely knows how to win."
Powell is ranked as the 215th best high school senior in the country and 57th best point guard in the country by the All-Star Girls Report. In addition, she is ranked as the 42nd best high school senior in the Southeast by Southeastern Roundball Journal.
"East Carolina is getting an impact player at the point guard position," said Brett McCormick, Scouting Director for the All-Star Girls Report. "She is an athletic slasher that can run the show."
Currently playing for Coach Faye Baker at Bradwell, she also considered Clemson and Virginia Tech before settling on ECU. Powell is the daughter of Annie and Lester Powell.
Anthony, a native of Charlotte, N.C., is a 5-10 guard at Myers Park High School. As a junior, she averaged 17.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game under the direction of Head Coach Debi Kaclik. Anthony was named North Carolina Second Team All-State in Class 4A, and was a Street and Smith All-American in both 2001 and 2002. In 2002, she was named team MVP at Myers Park.
"Keisha is a great scorer and very versatile," says Baldwin. "She can take you off the dribble and shoots the ball very well. I love her aggressive and competitive nature, along with her ability to play all three guard positions. She comes form a high school program with great expectations this season, and knows what it takes to win."
Anthony is ranked as the 61st best high school senior in the nation and the 15th best shooting guard in the country by All-Star Girls Report. She is also ranked as the 28th best high school senior in the Southeast by Southeastern Roundball Journal.
"East Carolina is getting a big-time impact player," said McCormick. "She will be a definite difference maker in Conference USA. Na'Keisha is one of the top 65 players in the country." Na'Keisha, the daughter of Tandra White also considered UCLA, Virginia, Temple, and Memphis before making a decision to sign with the Lady Pirates.
"Signing both these players today is a great step in making us competitive not only in Conference USA, but on a national level as well," commented Baldwin.
These two women will join the team for the 2003-04 season. The Lady Pirates open up the 2002-03 season on Friday, November 22 at No. 1 Duke.
