Nov. 8, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University head women's basketball coach Janet Cone announced the signing of six players to National Letters-of-Intent on Wednesday. Andrea Ward, Lindsey Harris, Candace Jones, LaBrena Friend, Morgan Vickery, and Jacinda Walker will join the Samford program in 2001.

The addition of these six players will help ease the burden of the graduation of eight seniors this season for Cone. "There are two things we are really excited by. The first is that we have been able to sign four players from Alabama. The second is that we have been able to sign players early in each position." said Cone.

Andrea Ward, is a 5-10 swing player from T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, Ala. She averaged 18.5 points and 8.9 rebounds a game from Miller High School last season. She can play either as a shooting guard or a small forward. "Andrea is a head worker who really gets after it," said her high school coach Ron Jackson. Cone added, "Andrea has the work ethic that Samford players are known for." Ward is considered among the top 12 high school seniors in Alabama.

Lindsey Harris is a 5-8 guard from Flinstone, Ga. She averaged 16 points and seven assists per game. "Lindsey is very quick and unselfish on the floor," says Cone. "She is a good fit for us because she likes the up-tempo style that we like to play."

Candace Jones is a 6-1 post player from Fort Payne High School in Mentone, Ala. She scored eight points and averaged five rebounds per game while leading Fort Payne to an 18-10 record last season. "Candace is a post player that runs the floor well. She is going to be a hard player to defend because she can score facing the basket as well as posting up." said Cone.

LaBrena Friend is a 5-6 point guard from Huntsville, Ala. She averaged 8.1 points and 3.5 assists for Buckhorn High School on their way to the 1A State Championship and a 26-8 record. "LaBrena is a real floor general at the point. We really feel that her best basketball is ahead of her." said Cone.

Morgan Vickery is a 6-0 forward from Decatur, Ala. She scored 9.3 points per game last season while leading Decatur High School to the 6A State Championship and a perfect 34-0 record. "Morgan has been around basketball all her life. She is a 6-0 player who can step out and shoot the three-point shot as well as score inside." said Cone.

Jacinda Walker is also a 6-0 forward. She is from Powder Springs, Ga., where she averaged 7.8 points and 8.2 rebounds for McEachern High School. "Jacinda is a really good defensive player. Rebounding is her strength, but she also runs the floor well and can be a force offensively." said Cone.

"I feel like this is a really strong class. We are going to be more athletic and these kids are versatile enough to play more than one position. They will be a great compliment to the players we will have returning." said Cone of her 2001 freshman class.