Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Ricky Martin/Ledger & Times
Four Standouts Ink With Women’s Basketball
11/28/2012 3:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Murray State women's basketball coach Rob Cross is pleased to announce the signing of four student-athletes who will join the Racers for the 2013-14 season. Nikia Edom of Romeoville, Ill., Julia Fox of Lebanon, Tenn., Ke'Shunan James of Jackson, Tenn., and Taylor Porter of Louisa, Ky., have all agreed to continue their academic and basketball careers at Murray State.
“We are very pleased with this recruiting class so far. Nikia, Julia, Taylor and Ke'Shunan are all fantastic students and great people who happen to be very good basketball players. Tony, Victoria and Benita did an outstanding job of identifying and helping us bring young women of character and ability into the Racer Family,” said Cross.
Edom is a 5-6, guard out of Plainfield East High School in Illinois, however prior to Plainfield she helped lead Montini Catholic to three consecutive Class 3A state championships while being named MVP last season. Last season, she led her team in scoring at 10.2 points per game and shot over 39 percent from the 3 point line while knocking down 72 three's. Edom shot 44 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line while also averaging 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
She was rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN and HoopGurlz and was named as the 78th best point guard in the Class of 2013 nationwide. Edom was also an Illinois Basketball Coaches All-State honoree and an ESPN Chicago All-Area selection in 2011-12.
What They Say About Nikia Edom
Plainfield East Head Coach Missy Mitidiero: “Although Nikia is a senior, this is my first year with her. Nikia is a coach's dream. She is someone who came in and immediately won the respect of her teammates because of her work ethic, poise, knowledge, heart and ability. She is a great addition to our team and I couldn't be happier to have her as a part of our program.”
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “We are thrilled to be adding a point guard of Nikia's caliber to the Racer Family. She is a young lady of exceptional character that is a proven winner. Winning three straight state championships is not an easy task and Racer fans will love the poise, tenacity and long range shooting she will provide.”
Fox is a 5-8 guard from Lebanon High School who averaged 14.1 points last season and dropped 161 3-pointers. Heading into her senior year she has amassed 960 points and is a 43 percent 3-point shooter.
She has helped lead the Tennessee Team Pride to five consecutive AAU state titles, as well as an AAU national championship. She was an All-Conference selection her sophomore and junior years and was selected by ESPN and HoopGurlz to compete in the Super 64 camp.
What They Say About Julia Fox
Lebanon Head Coach Courtney McFarlin: “Julia is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous shooter. She will excel in the college game due to her range. She shoots the deep ball extremely well and will be a great fit at Murray State.”
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “Julia was the first person to commit in this class and someone we targeted early to be able to come in and provide our team with a serious weapon from deep. Her unlimited range will help give her a chance to play early in her college career. Julia is an outstanding person that has been successful on and off of the court over the years. Her character and work ethic are impressive.”
James is a 6-1 forward/guard from South Side High School in Jackson, Tenn. Last season she averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.0 steals and 2 blocks per game. The All-District and Tennessee All-State nominee played AAU basketball for the Tennessee Lady Zoom.
What They Say About Ke'Shunan James
Jackson South Side Head Coach Brent McNeal: “Ke'Shunan is an extremely hard worker and will do whatever you ask of her no matter what it is. She gives everything she can and is in the gym every day. She is a big time gym rat and goes hard all the time. She is able to help out with any aspect of the game, whether its offense or defense, shooting or rebounding, she will be able to make a difference.
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “Ke'Shunan is an electrifying athlete who is growing into an excellent all-around basketball player. She provides her team with tremendous energy on both ends of the floor. Her exceptional length and motor will add another dimension to our team on the defensive end. She has the ability to step out and shoot the ball or drive it aggressively. Kee is a vocal leader who will do whatever it takes to get a task accomplished. Her character and desire to excel in all that she does will benefit our program.”
Porter is a 5-9 guard from Lawrence County High School. Last season, she averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4.5 steals per game. Taylor shot 47 percent from the field, 42 percent from three point range and over 80 percent from the free throw line.
For her efforts last season, she was named to several Kentucky all-state teams including the Louisville Courier-Journal All-State Team, as well as being named to the All-District, All-Region and the WYMT All-Mountain teams. In a game against rival Paintsville last season, Porter became a member of the LCHS 1,000 Point Club and is on pace to score over 2,000 career points.
What They Say About Taylor Porter
Lawrence County Head Coach Roger Harless: "Taylor Porter is the first girls' basketball player ever from Lawrence County to sign a Division I basketball scholarship. This is a situation that most kids only dream about, but Taylor made it a reality. She's worked hard and is a very talented athlete, a conscientious student, a strong leader and I know she will be a great college player. Murray State is not only getting an outstanding basketball player, but they are also getting a terrific young lady.”
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “We are excited about the addition of Taylor to this recruiting class. She is a person of superb character and is a proven winner. She is a scoring point guard who is completely dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help her team achieve success. Her deep range coupled with her athleticism and vision can make her tough to defend. Taylor can play any of the three guard spots with ease and her 5-11 wingspan helps make her a terrific defender. She plays with a lot of energy and has been an outstanding leader for Coach Harless and Lawrence County.”
“We are very pleased with this recruiting class so far. Nikia, Julia, Taylor and Ke'Shunan are all fantastic students and great people who happen to be very good basketball players. Tony, Victoria and Benita did an outstanding job of identifying and helping us bring young women of character and ability into the Racer Family,” said Cross.
Edom is a 5-6, guard out of Plainfield East High School in Illinois, however prior to Plainfield she helped lead Montini Catholic to three consecutive Class 3A state championships while being named MVP last season. Last season, she led her team in scoring at 10.2 points per game and shot over 39 percent from the 3 point line while knocking down 72 three's. Edom shot 44 percent from the field and 79 percent from the free throw line while also averaging 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
She was rated as a three-star recruit by ESPN and HoopGurlz and was named as the 78th best point guard in the Class of 2013 nationwide. Edom was also an Illinois Basketball Coaches All-State honoree and an ESPN Chicago All-Area selection in 2011-12.
What They Say About Nikia Edom
Plainfield East Head Coach Missy Mitidiero: “Although Nikia is a senior, this is my first year with her. Nikia is a coach's dream. She is someone who came in and immediately won the respect of her teammates because of her work ethic, poise, knowledge, heart and ability. She is a great addition to our team and I couldn't be happier to have her as a part of our program.”
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “We are thrilled to be adding a point guard of Nikia's caliber to the Racer Family. She is a young lady of exceptional character that is a proven winner. Winning three straight state championships is not an easy task and Racer fans will love the poise, tenacity and long range shooting she will provide.”
Fox is a 5-8 guard from Lebanon High School who averaged 14.1 points last season and dropped 161 3-pointers. Heading into her senior year she has amassed 960 points and is a 43 percent 3-point shooter.
She has helped lead the Tennessee Team Pride to five consecutive AAU state titles, as well as an AAU national championship. She was an All-Conference selection her sophomore and junior years and was selected by ESPN and HoopGurlz to compete in the Super 64 camp.
What They Say About Julia Fox
Lebanon Head Coach Courtney McFarlin: “Julia is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous shooter. She will excel in the college game due to her range. She shoots the deep ball extremely well and will be a great fit at Murray State.”
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “Julia was the first person to commit in this class and someone we targeted early to be able to come in and provide our team with a serious weapon from deep. Her unlimited range will help give her a chance to play early in her college career. Julia is an outstanding person that has been successful on and off of the court over the years. Her character and work ethic are impressive.”
James is a 6-1 forward/guard from South Side High School in Jackson, Tenn. Last season she averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 3.0 steals and 2 blocks per game. The All-District and Tennessee All-State nominee played AAU basketball for the Tennessee Lady Zoom.
What They Say About Ke'Shunan James
Jackson South Side Head Coach Brent McNeal: “Ke'Shunan is an extremely hard worker and will do whatever you ask of her no matter what it is. She gives everything she can and is in the gym every day. She is a big time gym rat and goes hard all the time. She is able to help out with any aspect of the game, whether its offense or defense, shooting or rebounding, she will be able to make a difference.
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “Ke'Shunan is an electrifying athlete who is growing into an excellent all-around basketball player. She provides her team with tremendous energy on both ends of the floor. Her exceptional length and motor will add another dimension to our team on the defensive end. She has the ability to step out and shoot the ball or drive it aggressively. Kee is a vocal leader who will do whatever it takes to get a task accomplished. Her character and desire to excel in all that she does will benefit our program.”
Porter is a 5-9 guard from Lawrence County High School. Last season, she averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4.5 steals per game. Taylor shot 47 percent from the field, 42 percent from three point range and over 80 percent from the free throw line.
For her efforts last season, she was named to several Kentucky all-state teams including the Louisville Courier-Journal All-State Team, as well as being named to the All-District, All-Region and the WYMT All-Mountain teams. In a game against rival Paintsville last season, Porter became a member of the LCHS 1,000 Point Club and is on pace to score over 2,000 career points.
What They Say About Taylor Porter
Lawrence County Head Coach Roger Harless: "Taylor Porter is the first girls' basketball player ever from Lawrence County to sign a Division I basketball scholarship. This is a situation that most kids only dream about, but Taylor made it a reality. She's worked hard and is a very talented athlete, a conscientious student, a strong leader and I know she will be a great college player. Murray State is not only getting an outstanding basketball player, but they are also getting a terrific young lady.”
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: “We are excited about the addition of Taylor to this recruiting class. She is a person of superb character and is a proven winner. She is a scoring point guard who is completely dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help her team achieve success. Her deep range coupled with her athleticism and vision can make her tough to defend. Taylor can play any of the three guard spots with ease and her 5-11 wingspan helps make her a terrific defender. She plays with a lot of energy and has been an outstanding leader for Coach Harless and Lawrence County.”
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