Fanning Adds Two Juco Standouts To Recruiting Class

STARKVILLE, Miss. ?€“ Mississippi State University women's basketball coach Sharon Fanning reached into the juco ranks for the final two additions of the 2006 incoming freshman class. Imesia Jackson and Donnisha Tate have signed national letters-of-intent to play at MSU. The duo joins the five signees that Fanning and staff announced last fall.

Jackson is returning home as she is an Oktibbeha County native and prepped at East Oktibbeha High School in Crawford, Miss. The 6-1 forward has spent the last two seasons Southwest Tennessee Community College. In 2005-06 she ranked fifth in scoring in the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association with an 18.7 scoring clip. An active presence in the paint, she averaged 11 rebounds a game, which was second in the league. She was a National Junior College Athletic Association honorable mention all-American. As a freshman for the Lady Saluqis, Jackson, was named to the all-TJCCAA and all-Western Division with an 11.9 scoring average.

Jackson

Imesia is a very physical player who loves contact. She was at the top of her league in both scoring and rebounding and works extremely hard at both ends of the floor, said Fanning. The experience she has gained while being named honorable mention all-American and team MVP will give us immediate help in the post position.

Jackson played under Sean Johnson at EOHS and was listed as an all-area player for three seasons. She was named team MVP her junior and senior campaigns. An all-state selection twice during her high school career, she averaged 23 points and pulled down 12 boards. She is the daughter of Anita and Robert Jackson.

Tate comes from the Texas juco system, competing at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. The 6-2 forward registered 12.7 points per game and 9.2 rebounds during her sophomore season under head coach Trenia Tillis-Jones. Her sophomore scoring average ranked 15th in the region. She was a member of the Region XIV all-Region and all-Conference teams last season. Tate had a season-best 27 points and 22 boards against Panola College this past season.

Tate

Donnisha is an extremely mobile athlete who can defend, rebound and run the court, said Fanning. Her enthusiasm, work ethic and experience should help her step in and make an immediate contribution.

A native of Vallejo, California, Tate attended Vallejo High School where she was named First Team all-State selection three times in the California prep ranks. She also participated in AAU competition with the California Ballaz.

2006-07 Lady Bulldog Recruiting Class

Channa Campbell, 6-2, Forward, West Limestone HS/Lester, Ala.
Tysheka Grimes, 6-0, Forward, Capitol HS/Baton Rouge, La.
Imesia Jackson, 6-1, Forward, Southwest [Tenn.] CC/Crawford, Miss.
Donnisha Tate, 6-2, forward, Tyler [Texas] JC/Vallejo, Ca.
Alexis Rack, 5-7, Guard, Franklin HS/Franklin, La.
Bethany Washington, 5-11, Forward, Vanderbilt Catholic HS/Houma, La.
Katherine Young, 6-3, Center, Cass Tech HS/Redford, Mich.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Fanning Adds Two Juco Standouts To Recruiting Class