Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Holy Innocents Episcopal HS
Women’s Basketball Adds Two for 2014-15
11/15/2013 12:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Murray State women's basketball coach Rob Cross is pleased to announce the signing of two student-athletes who will join the Racers for the 2014-15 season. Alexis Cassell of Atlanta, Ga., and Olivia Cunningham of Horn Lake, Miss., have both agreed to continue their academic and basketball careers at Murray State.
"We are very pleased with this recruiting class so far. Lexii and Olivia are both fantastic students and great people who happen to be very good basketball players. Tony, Daphne and Benita did an outstanding job of identifying and helping us bring young women of character and ability into the Racer Family," said Cross.
Cassell is a 6-2 forward from Holy Innocents' Episcopal High School in Atlanta, Ga. She helped lead the Lady Bears to the GHSA Class A Private Final Four last season and earned all-region honors for her efforts.
During this past summer playing for her AAU team, her play improved even more as she averaged 10.2 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game. She finished the summer shooting 55 percent from the floor, 38 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent from the free throw line.
What They Say About Lexii Cassell
Holy Innocents' Head Coach Tony Watkins: "Over the last several years, Lexii has made major improvements on and off the court. We are thrilled at the opportunity for her to continue her education and play NCAA Division I basketball at Murray State. It is a great fit all the way around."
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: "Lexii is a tremendous young lady and an outstanding student. She has very good size and athletic ability, but the thing that is most exciting about her as a player is the fact that she has already shown the work ethic and desire necessary to grow as a player. She had a fantastic summer and has climbed to be rated as a three star prospect by several recruiting services. At this level she will have the ability to step out and knock down perimeter jump shots as well as put it on the floor and score around the basket. Playing for Coach Tony Watkins at Holy Innocents in Atlanta, she has experienced a lot of success and will bring a ton of intensity to our program."
Cunningham is a 5-7 guard from Horn Lake High School in Horn Lake, Miss. After three successful years at Southaven High School under coach David Baldwin, Cunningham will play her senior year at cross-county rival Horn Lake. Her senior campaign is already being highly touted as she was named to the prestigious Dandy Dozen by the Clarion-Ledger, an annual list of the top 12 girls' basketball players in the state of Mississippi. She also came in at 14th in the latest Fila rankings of the top 40 members of the Class of 2014 from Mississippi.
Last season, Cunningham reached a significant milestone in her career by recording her 1,000th career point and 500th career assist. She also helped the Chargers reach back-to-back MHSAA Class 5A Final Fours, including a finals appearance last season. This past summer, with her AAU Team, Team Memphis Elite (Holmes), she once again proved her passing prowess by leading the team in assists.
What They Say About Olivia Cunningham
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: "Olivia has an infectious smile and energy about her on the court and off. She is a fantastic student and a person of high character who has been a leader throughout her high school career. On the court she has elite level quickness and the ability to break people down off the dribble to create for herself and her teammates. Olivia also can shoot the three and really defend the ball at a high level. She is one of the top rated players in the state of Mississippi and has experienced a lot of success playing for Coach David Baldwin at Southaven High School over the past few years."
"We are very pleased with this recruiting class so far. Lexii and Olivia are both fantastic students and great people who happen to be very good basketball players. Tony, Daphne and Benita did an outstanding job of identifying and helping us bring young women of character and ability into the Racer Family," said Cross.
Cassell is a 6-2 forward from Holy Innocents' Episcopal High School in Atlanta, Ga. She helped lead the Lady Bears to the GHSA Class A Private Final Four last season and earned all-region honors for her efforts.
During this past summer playing for her AAU team, her play improved even more as she averaged 10.2 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game. She finished the summer shooting 55 percent from the floor, 38 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent from the free throw line.
What They Say About Lexii Cassell
Holy Innocents' Head Coach Tony Watkins: "Over the last several years, Lexii has made major improvements on and off the court. We are thrilled at the opportunity for her to continue her education and play NCAA Division I basketball at Murray State. It is a great fit all the way around."
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: "Lexii is a tremendous young lady and an outstanding student. She has very good size and athletic ability, but the thing that is most exciting about her as a player is the fact that she has already shown the work ethic and desire necessary to grow as a player. She had a fantastic summer and has climbed to be rated as a three star prospect by several recruiting services. At this level she will have the ability to step out and knock down perimeter jump shots as well as put it on the floor and score around the basket. Playing for Coach Tony Watkins at Holy Innocents in Atlanta, she has experienced a lot of success and will bring a ton of intensity to our program."
Cunningham is a 5-7 guard from Horn Lake High School in Horn Lake, Miss. After three successful years at Southaven High School under coach David Baldwin, Cunningham will play her senior year at cross-county rival Horn Lake. Her senior campaign is already being highly touted as she was named to the prestigious Dandy Dozen by the Clarion-Ledger, an annual list of the top 12 girls' basketball players in the state of Mississippi. She also came in at 14th in the latest Fila rankings of the top 40 members of the Class of 2014 from Mississippi.
Last season, Cunningham reached a significant milestone in her career by recording her 1,000th career point and 500th career assist. She also helped the Chargers reach back-to-back MHSAA Class 5A Final Fours, including a finals appearance last season. This past summer, with her AAU Team, Team Memphis Elite (Holmes), she once again proved her passing prowess by leading the team in assists.
What They Say About Olivia Cunningham
Murray State Head Coach Rob Cross: "Olivia has an infectious smile and energy about her on the court and off. She is a fantastic student and a person of high character who has been a leader throughout her high school career. On the court she has elite level quickness and the ability to break people down off the dribble to create for herself and her teammates. Olivia also can shoot the three and really defend the ball at a high level. She is one of the top rated players in the state of Mississippi and has experienced a lot of success playing for Coach David Baldwin at Southaven High School over the past few years."
Indiana State VS Murray State | MVC Baseball Tournament | Game Highlights
Friday, May 22
Evansville VS Murray State | Women's Basketball Game Highlights
Saturday, February 28
Head Coach Rechelle Turner | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
Thomas & Pena | Racer Basketball | 2/26/26 Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 27
