SFA Women's Basketball Signs Four on NLI Day
11/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball Head Coach Mark Kellogg has announced the signing of four recruits to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday during the early signing period.
The 2017 signing class will be comprised of 5-6 point guard Marissa Banfield from Friendswood, Texas (Westbury Christian School), 5-11 guard Alyssa Mayfield from Tyler, Texas (John Tyler HS), 6-2 center Aaliyah Johnson from Lee’s Summit, Mo. (Lee’s Summit North), and 5-11 guard Brionne Burns from Independence, Mo. (William Chrisman HS).
Marissa Banfield • 5-6 • G • Friendswood, Texas• Westbury Christian School
Going into her senior year, the three-time First Team All-District point guard has a long list of accolades to her name. Banfield was the District MVP and the three-point Champion the last two years of play. She was also chosen for a total of four Tournament MVP awards in 2015 and 2016. Banfield was selected her sophomore year for First Team All-State, and was named the State Three-Point Champion with 80 makes that season. She then surpassed that number the next season with 128 makes, claiming another State Three-Point Champion title. With Banfield at the helm, Westbury Christian basketball team was the TAAPS State Championship Runner-Up last season, where she picked up a TAAPS Class 4A Girls Basketball Tournament First Team selection after her sophomore and junior campaigns. The Texas native took care of her business in the classroom as well. She holds a 3.34 GPA and is an active member of National Junior Honor Society.
Personal: Daughter of Greg and Janet Banfield … Has one sister Courtney … Enjoys spending time with family and friends, hanging out poolside, traveling, and attending concerts … Is interested in Pre-Health Science.
What people are saying about Banfield:
Josh Bailey, Head Coach Westbury Christian: “Marissa is one of the headiest players I have ever coached. She has a great feel for the game and is a sniper from the 3-point line. When I think of Marisa’s intangible qualities words like passion, perseverance, and stamina come to mind-to sum it all up she has always displayed the necessary grit and determination to achieve the excellence she strives for both on and off the court.”
Coach Howley, Teacher Westbury Christian: “I taught Marissa twice, as a freshman and a junior. She was always prepared. When tournaments required her to miss school, she quickly made up her work. She is always respectful and engaging, earning the respect of both her peers and teachers. I coach our middle school girls’ team and hold up Marissa as an example of work ethic, attitude, etc. You are getting a jewel!”
Coach Kellogg: “Marissa is a PG that has a great IQ and feel for the game. She is one of the top 3 point shooters in the country as last year she made 128 of them and shot 47%. Marissa also excels in the classroom and is in National Honor Society.”
Alyssa Mayfield • 5-11 • G • Tyler, Texas • John Tyler High School
The wing out of Tyler averaged 13.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 4.5 steals per game during her junior campaign. Mayfield was selected for 16-5A First Team All-District her sophomore and junior year. She also was named Texas Association of Basketball Coaches: First Team All-Region in 2015 and 2016. She was an integral part of the team completing as the 2016 Bi-District Champs with a 20-3 record. Mayfield is a two-time Academic All-District Nominee and John Tyler Offensive Player of the year in 2016. During her sophomore campaign, Mayfield claimed 3rd Team honorable mention and was the team’s leading rebounder. In the classroom, She was been an active member of National Junior Honors Society for the past two years, and is ranked first in her class. Outside of the court, Mayfield is also a three-time Regional Track Qualifier for the 400 meter, long jump, and several relays.
Personal: Daughter to Ken Mayfield and Kim Mayfield … Has two siblings, brother Kameron Mayfield and sister, Alexus Mayfield … Is interested in Pre-Health Science.
What people are saying about Mayfield:
Mike Smith, Soph./Jr. Season Coach at Tyler John Tyler HS: “Alyssa is a very gifted young lady, but what makes her great is the person having those gifts. In addition to being gifted, she is extremely dedicated in her desire to be the best that she can be. Her self-less attitude makes her a great teammate. Her dedication makes her a relentless leader. SFA is the perfect place for her to excel in her personal and team goals. She is a WINNER! GO JACKS!!”
Carlesa Dixon, Head Coach at John Tyler HS: “Alyssa Mayfield is the type of player every coach dreams of having…her work ethic on the court and in the classroom is unbelievable. The game comes easy to her because she practices EXACTLY the way she plays. She wants to be the best so she doesn’t mind putting in the extra work to get better every day. Alyssa has a great future ahead of her!”
Coach Kellogg: “Alyssa is an East Texas student-athlete that we are thrilled to add to the Ladyjack program. Alyssa is a talented athlete that will be able to play the guard and forward positions for us. She has an ability to score all over the floor and in multiple ways. She can shoot the ‘3,’ put it on the floor and score with her back to the basket. She also excels in the classroom where she is #1 in her class. Alyssa is a great fit for SFA and the fans will enjoy watching her play.”
Aaliyah Johnson • 6-2 • C • Lee’s Summit, Mo. • Lee’s Summit North
The 6-2 center has talent on and off the court. On the court, the junior put up 13 points, 7 rebound, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. Johnson was named to the All-Suburban Big Six and selected First Team All-District. The Missouri native was also selected for First Team All-Conference, Examiner All-Area First Team, and KC Star All-Metro Honorable Mention. Over the course of her high school basketball career, Johnson earned Top 10 program spots for career scorers, free-throws made, rebounds, block shots, and free-throw percentage. In the classroom, Johnson holds a 3.66 GPA, and currently works in the school library. Johnson is the younger sister to current Ladyjack Imani Johnson. The last time the girls were on a team together they took Lee’s Summit North all the way to the state title game.
Personal: Daughter to Amos Johnson and Carrie Cherry-Johnson … Has two sisters Imani and Aiyana, and one brother Amos IV … Is interested in Business Management/Sports Administration.
What people are saying about Johnson:
Ms. Mooney, IB History Lee’s Summit North HS: “Aaliyah is a wonderful young woman. She works hard both in the classroom and outside it as well. She very much wants to do a good job on her classwork and does not hesitate to ask clarifying questions. If she does not get the grade she hopes for, she wants to know how she can improve in the future. I saw a lot of growth in her last year, academically. In addition to being a good student, she is also just a kind, compassionate person who at the same time know show to take a stand and will stand her ground when necessary. She was definitely a quiet leader in the classroom.”
Nick Bradford, Missouri Phenom Coach: “Aaliyah is one of my favorite players to ever coach. She is tough and a super smart player on the court. She’s a post player who thinks the game like a point guard, and has an outstanding IQ and feel for the game. She is very coachable and an asset to any program.”
Coach Kellogg: ”We are always looking for quality post players and Aaliyah fits exactly what we look for in a post player. She has great hands and feet, can score in the paint and out to the 3pt line, can rebound the ball and is vocal on the court. She also plays with a great IQ and is very diligent in her studies.”
Brionne “Bri” Burns • 5-11 • G • Independence, Mo. • William Chrisman High School
Burns is a four year varsity star, averaging 14 points per game. The 5-10 guard has numerous awards and achievements to her record. Burns is a two-time Lee’s Summit North Tournament All-Tournament Team selection (2014-15 and 2015-16). She helped lead her team to a District Championship in 2015, and was named First Team All-District in 2015 and 2016. She is also a three-time First Team All-Conference pick. The Missouri native was part of an AAU team, the Missouri Phenom, that won the Adidas National Championship in 2014, and then was an EYBL Nike Top Team selection in 2016. In the classroom, Burns has a perfect 4.0 and currently ranks 22nd in her class of 295.
Personal: Daughter to Frederic and Tamara Burns … Bri’s mother, Tamara, has a PHD in Educational Leadership and is the Chief Academic Officer for the Benjamin Banneker Charter Academy … Has a little sister named Bailey … Is interested in Pre-Health Science … Plays the Violin and Piano.
What people are saying about Burns:
Dr. Rikki Hays Clawson, Biology Instructor: “Bri is a great student. She is always positive and upbeat. She seems like she really enjoys learning and always strives to do her best. Bri always stays on task and has never turned in a late assignment. She works well with others too and definitely shines when she is put in a group to work. She strikes me as a team player and although I do not know what her skills are at basketball, she would be an asset to any team just based on what I have seen academically!”
Nick Bradford, AAU Missouri Phenom Coach: “Bri is a hard worker who I think will thrive at the next level. Her size, athleticism, ability to score and defend all translates. She gives you her all and competes all-out, all the time. She is a pleasure to coach and was willing to do whatever I asked of her.”
Coach Kellogg: “Bri caught our eye this summer with her ability to score from the three point line, off the dribble and her ability to guard on the defensive end. Bri has a complete basketball game that will transition well to college. She is another fantastic and well-rounded student-athlete.”
The Ladyjacks will open the 2016-2017 season on the road this Sunday in South Dakota. SFA will face the South Dakota Coyotes, and tipoff will at 1:00 p.m. CT. Season tickets are still available for the upcoming season and can be purchased by calling the SFA ticket office at (936) 468-JACK (5225).
-SFA-
