DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Bethune-Cookman University Women's Basketball program would like to announce the signing of three new Lady Wildcats for the 2009-2010 season.  With only two seniors on last years' team, the three recruits, one guard and two post players, will add to and compliment a solid core of returning talent for the upcoming season.

This is Head Coach Vanessa Inge's inaugural recruiting class and she is optimistic that the newest Wildcats will have a big impact on the program.  On the class, Coach Inge noted, "we are excited about the signing of Parress Davis, Porche Anderson, and Iaellan Walters, and the expected impact that they will have both athletically and academically for years to come."

Parress Davis, from Fort Washington, Md., is currently finishing up at Jericho Christian Academy.  "Parress Davis is a 6'1", aggressive post player," said Inge.  "She is very strong and tenacious on the boards.  She has soft hands and a very soft touch around the basket.  Parress also possesses the ability to shoot the short jumper and is a decent ball handler as well."  At Jericho, Davis averaged 10 points, 2.3 blocks, 8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.

Porche Anderson, from Atlanta, Ga., comes to Bethune-Cookman from Maynard Jackson High School, where she finished with over 1000 points and 1000 rebounds in her four-year career as a varsity letter winner.  Anderson, a 6'1" post player, was named to the Region 5AAA honorable mention team (07-08) and the 4AAA All-Region team (08-09), averaging 15.6 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.  Of Anderson, Coach Inge says she is "a true center with a very strong and solid frame. She will provide us with strong rebounding and post defense.  Porche posts very strongly and she can finish around the basket.  She is able to run the floor and finish in transition, and she is also a decent shot blocker."

The final signed player is Iaellan Walters, of Nottingham High School in Syracuse, N.Y..  "Walters is a 5'8" perimeter guard.  She has the ability to hit the open jumper and can create her own shot off the dribble," notes Coach Inge.  "She is strongly built which allows her to get to the hole and finish.  She possesses a nice mid-range game and has definite three-point range."  Walters finished her high school career with 1207 total points, averaging 16 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals per game.  She was also named All-League for four consecutive seasons, and recently named 3rd team All Central New York.

Coach Inge feels that her first recruiting class addresses some current needs for the Lady Wildcat program and, with her returning players, will provide a strong team to face the always tough MEAC schedule.  After this year's breakthrough season, Inge and the Lady Wildcats look to take continue their progress in the 2009-2010 season and, she feels, this recruiting class is a big step in that direction.

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