Schneider Signs Two In Second Class
11/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2011
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack head coach Brandon Schneider announced the signing of LaNesha Middleton and Paulletta Powell to National Letters of Intent on Thursday as part of his second signing class.
"We are extremely excited to add LaNesha and Paulletta to our program," Schneider said. "They are both very talented players with tremendous upside and very bright futures. Just as important, they are outstanding students and high character young ladies who understand the heritage of our program and the expectations that come with putting on a Ladyjack uniform."
LaNesha Middleton, a 5'10 forward from Stillwater, Okla. (Stillwater HS), was co-MVP of the Centennial Conference and a honorable-mention, all-state selection by the Tulsa World after her junior season. Middleton was also named the Bristow Invitational MVP earlier this season.
"LaNesha is an extremely athletic wing who can guard multiple positions," Schneider said. "She is a slasher, driver offensively and is improving her ability to stretch the defense with her range. She has a high basketball IQ, as you would expect from a coach's daughter (her father, Steve, is an assistant coach for the OSU men's basketball program). She's a ball getter on the boards, she has terrific instincts, and she never takes a play off."
Paulletta Powell is a 5'8 guard from Port Arthur, Texas (Port Arthur Memorial HS). She was a 2011 all-district selection, was named to the 2010-11 YMBRL All-Tournament team and named the 2010-11 Most Improved Player of the Year in her district.
"Paulletta is an athletic combo guard who can finish at the rim and stretch the defense with her range beyond the arc," Schneider said. "She is strong and explosive - attributes which enable her to be a terrific penetrator and rebounder. Her long arms and foot speed make her a perfect fit for how we like to play defensively."
What Others Are Saying- Dan Olson, Collegiate Girls Basketball Report
LaNesha Middleton: "A wiry, athletic off-guard who can attack in either direction off the bounce - can push the tempo and has a post-up game vs. a mismatch - terrific rebounder; moves well away from the ball; emerging midrange game."
Paulletta Powell: "A quick, athletic guard with lead-guard handles - pushes tempo and advances the ball with both pass and dribble - quick-leaper - explosive in up-tempo game."
