HAMMOND – Three of the nation's top junior college scorers highlight a group of five student-athletes that have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic careers as members of the Southeastern Louisiana University women's basketball program, Lady Lion head coach Lori Davis Jones announced on Wednesday.

Junior college All-American guards Latoria Holder (Lumberton, Miss.) and Jessica Sommers (San Antonio, Texas), along with post Breanna Shaw (Killeen, Texas) – the 10th-leading junior college scorer in the nation in 2009-10 – are expected to provide the Lady Lions with an experienced group of talented scorers. The Lady Lions rounded out their signing class with a pair of freshmen from Texas high school powers in point guard Aarika Reyna (Houston, Texas) and post Kaitlyn Waller (Frisco, Texas).

Jones and her staff were looking to increase the Lady Lions' offensive firepower heading into the recruiting season. Southeastern made its fourth trip to the Southland Conference Tournament in five years last season, but was unable to defend its 2008-09 Southland East Division title, won in a season that saw the Lady Lions connect on a school-record 220 three-point field goals.

“For us to be in the upper echelon of the Southland Conference, we have to be better offensively,” Jones commented. “We've had success in recent years when we've been able to stretch defenses with our perimeter range and we've added five student-athletes that are proven productive three-point threats. Teaming this group with the shooters we already have on the roster will allow us to once again use the three as a weapon.

“We believe this is a very coachable group that fits well with our program,” Jones continued. “All five had a strong desire to come to Southeastern and represent our university as Lady Lions.”

The newest Lady Lions will join a roster that returns starters Chelsea Hix, Kelli Jenkins and Rashima Jenkins, as well as key reserves Mary Fountain and Rachel Mackie among their nine returning letterwinners. Jones and her staff believe the infusion of new talent will benefit the team's holdovers.

“We've got a good group with knowledge of our system coming back that has started the offseason with a strong work ethic,” Jones said. “In reality, we're adding six newcomers to the mix if you factor in (redshirt freshman post) Aja Gibson, who we believe is going to be a productive player for us. Adding these new faces will not only complement the talents of our current players, but push our returners to raise their level of play.”

A third team All-American in 2009-10 at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Holder is expected to be a versatile weapon at both ends of the floor for the Lady Lions in the coming season. Last season, she helped Co-Lin to a Region 23 title and a final No. 3 national ranking, averaging 16.5 points per game to go with 5.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contest. The Lumberton High School product hit 50 percent of her field goal attempts, netting 46 three-point field goals and ranking 13th nationally with 3.6 steals per game.

“We're very excited to have a player of Latoria's caliber join our program,” Jones stated. “She's extremely well-rounded and versatile offensively and is someone who can score the basketball in a variety of ways. Our league is filled with talented wings, so adding someone like Latoria, who enjoys playing defense, will help us be better at locking down on the perimeter. With her athleticism and talents, we expect Latoria to be an immediate impact player in the Southland Conference.”

Co-Lin head women's basketball coach Gwyn Young believes Holder will excel at the next level.

“Latoria is a good all-around player,” Young commented. “She can score, defend and pass. Latoria does everything well.”

Sommers will team with Holder to give the Lady Lions a backcourt of junior college All-American products, as the Karen Wagner High School product was an honorable mention selection last season at Temple Junior College. A two-time All-Conference performer, Sommers averaged 16.4 points per game and hit a league-high 62 three-point field goals as a sophomore.

“Jessica has a quick release and her shooting range will stretch the opposition's defense,” Jones said. “She's a quick playmaker that will greatly improve our backcourt depth.”

Temple Community College head coach Kim Sebek believes Sommers will be an asset to Southeastern on and off the court.

“Jessica is an outstanding young lady both in the classroom and on the court,” Sebek stated. “She's a very dedicated student-athlete that will excel at the next level.”

Rounding out the Lady Lions junior college additions is Shaw, who put up gaudy numbers as a freshman at Allen County Community College in 2009-10 and will have three years left in her collegiate career. The Killeen High School alum averaged 19.1 points per game, ranking in the nation's top 20 in scoring and free-throw percentage (83 percent, 17th). Shaw also netted 53 treys, hitting 34 percent of her attempts from behind the arc and earning All-Jayhawk Conference honors. As a senior at KHS, Shaw was a Texas Girls Coaches Association All Star selection.

“We're fortunate to have an opportunity to coach Breanna for the next three years,” Jones commented. “Breanna's another addition that can stretch the defense with her shooting ability. She put up impressive numbers as a freshman in a tough junior college league and has the potential to be a very productive member of our program.”

Allen County Community College head coach Andy Hamilton was quick to praise Shaw.

“Breanna is a great young lady and a special person,” Hamilton said. “She has a big time work ethic and is a joy to coach.”

Reyna comes to Hammond after helping Cy-Fair High School to a pair of Class 5A state championships, including last season's title win that saw the newest Lady Lion earn All-Tournament honors. An All-Region, All-Houston and All-District performer, Reyna averaged 13.8 points, 4.0 assists and 3.2 steals per game as a senior.

“Aarika will team with (returning junior starter) Kelli Jenkins to give us a tandem of true point guards,” Jones stated. “She has all the traits we are looking for in a point guard. Aarika has all the basketball skills and with that comes her desire to lead. She's a very vocal player, who will not only improve our depth at point guard, but also be a positive influence on our team chemistry.”

Cy-Fair head coach Ann Roubique echoed Jones' thoughts when asked about Reyna.

“Aarika was instrumental in our two Class 5A state championships at Cy-Fair High School,” Roubique said. “She has a drive and determination that is contagious to other players. Her will to win is reflected in her work ethic and dedication to her teammates and coaches.”

Waller joins the Lady Lion program after helping Frisco High School to the Region II semifinals as a senior. The 6-0 Waller is one of four members of the Racoons' 2009-10 roster to sign a Division I scholarship.

“Kaitlyn's a good defender with good length that will help us in the post,” Jones claimed. “She's another newcomer that has the ability to threaten opponents with her range as a shooter. Kaitlyn has played at a high level of competition in high school and is someone we're looking forward to working with over the next four years.”

Frisco High head coach Bob Rose believes the Lady Lions will benefit from the addition of Waller.

“Kaitlyn has really grown as a student-athlete in her time at FHS,” Rose said. “She is constantly looking for ways to improve and develop her game and will continue to develop at the next level. Kaitlyn is a strong rebounder and always sprints the floor in transition.”

The newest Lady Lions will make their Division I debut on November 12, when Southeastern opens the 2010-11 campaign hosting Millsaps.

2010-11 Southeastern Louisiana Women's Basketball Signing Class
Latoria Holder, G, 5-8, Jr., Lumberton, Miss., Copiah-Lincoln CC/Lumberton HS
Aarika Reyna, G, 5-5, Fr., Houston, Texas, Cy-Fair HS
Breanna Shaw, F, 5-10, So., Killeen, Texas, Allen County CC/Killeen HS
Jessica Sommers, G, 5-5, Jr., San Antonio, Texas, Temple JC/Karen Wagner HS
Kaitlyn Waller, F, 6-0, Fr., Frisco, Texas, Frisco HS