North Georgia Adds Four to 09-10 Roster

DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College & State University head women’s basketball coach Buffie Burson has announced the addition of three incoming freshmen and one transfer who will join the Lady Saints for the 2009-10 season.

Janyce Ealy, Ieshia Alexander, Jessica Howard, and Tiffany Marlow are all set to make their way to the North Georgia campus this fall and play for head coach Buffie Burson.

Janyce Ealey, a 5-9 freshman forward from Carrollton, Georgia, and Carrollton High School led CHS to the school’s first state championship in 2009 with a record of 32-2. The standout averaged 17.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, and was named Atlanta Journal Constitution and GSWA First-Team All-State, All-Region, and Times-Georgian First-Team All-Area.

"Janyce's versatility and competitiveness are a great fit for our program,” Burson said. “She is a proven winner with the ability to score from all areas of the floor and can rebound tremendously on offense and defense. Her work ethic and toughness will continue to help build on the foundation of players we have returning. She will quickly become an exciting player for our fans to watch."

Ieshia Alexander, a 5-6 freshman point guard from Rome, Georgia, and Coosa High School averaged 16.0 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 4.6 steals per game during her senior season. She was named MVP of the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Game, earned Rome News Tribune Player of the Year honors, and was named NW Tip-Off Club Player of the Year, GACA All-State, All-Region, and to the Tip-Off Club All-Metro Team.

"Ieshia is a excellent addition to our program,” Burson said. “She has all the tools of a great point guard. She can create off the dribble, as well as knock down the pull-up jumper and three-pointer. She is also an exceptional passer with the ability to raise the level of players around her. We are very excited to see her in the blue & white this season."

Jessica Howard, a 6-0 freshman center from Toccoa, Georgia, and Stephens County High School averaged 9.0 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game during her senior season.

"Jessica was a standout post player for Stephens County High School and will bring depth to our frontline, Burson said. “She is a strong and determined player with a bright future ahead. We are all very excited she will be a part of our North Georgia family."

Tiffany Marlow, a 6-0 junior forward from Gainesville, Georgia, and Chestatee High School makes her way to North Georgia from Truett-McConnell Junior College where she averaged 12.0 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game playing for the Bears last season. Marlow  earned GJCAA All-Region honors playing for Truett-McConnell in 2008-09.

"We are very excited about Tiffany becoming a Lady Saint, Burson said. “Although she has had a successful career on the junior college level, we believe she has just scratched the surface. Her biggest attribute is that she's a scorer - she finds a way to score. She's athletic,  moves really well and runs really well. She's a hard-working, tough blue-collar player that I think every team needs."

The Lady Saints will open the 2009-10 season with five straight home games, including contests against Newberry, Rollins, and Kentucky Welseyan.