Women's Hoops Ink Two Memphis Standouts In April Nathaniel And Alexandria Hagler
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State women's basketball head coach Sharon Fanning announced Wednesday the signing of two more additions for the 2004-05 season. Memphis' "Best of the Preps" standout April Nathaniel and Alexandria Hagler have signed a national letter-of-intent to play with the Lady Bulldogs next year.
Nathaniel, a 5-8 guard, will graduate from Hamilton High School in Memphis, Tenn. She was the leading scorer in the district and second in the city averaging double digits while with the Wildcats, putting up 24 points per game, six assists per game, five rebounds per game and three steals per game in her senior year campaign. She led Hamilton to a 15-12 overall record in her last year and advanced to the Region 8-AAA Tournament quarterfinals.
She was named the "Best of the Preps" for her senior and junior year performances, honoring her as the top senior and junior in Memphis. Nathaniel was a two-time all-District and all-Region player. She was also named the District Player of the Year and Tournament Player of the Year her junior season and all-State honorable mention this past year.
"April is a very good athlete who knows how to score," said Fanning. "Her quickness and athletic ability should compliment the guard position. She can play point or shooting guard and has a great feel for the game. Her range and ability to penetrate makes her hard to guard. She looks to make an immediate contribution as a freshman."
Central High School graduate Hagler led the Warriors to a 27-8 record in her final year. For the second straight year, Central advanced to the first round of the state regional. The 6-1 forward averaged 10 points per game and eight rebounds per game that led to a two-time all-District and all-Region selections. She was a member of several all-Tournament teams and voted Most Improved on her team for her senior season campaign.
"Alex is an aggressive rebounder with quickness and strength to help us on the inside," said Fanning. "She runs the floor hard and doesn't mind contact at the low post. Her mobility allows her to face up and score from the perimeter or play on top of the press defensively. We anticipate her contribution at the low post and believe her work ethic will make us better."
Nathaniel and Hagler join Miayorka Johnson of Ripley, Miss., and Amy Reeder of Pontotoc, Miss., as Lady Bulldog signees for the class of 2007-08.