Alabama women's basketball team signs four players

TUSCALOOSA | Third-year head coach Stephany Smith announced that four preps signed commitments to play for the Alabama women’s basketball program in 2008: Ericka Russell (Tuscaloosa), Carmen McCoy (Leeds), Kayla Robinson Raymond, Miss.) and Candace Sykes (St. Anne, Ill.).

Russell will continue her career in her backyard as she hails from Tuscaloosa and plays for coach Lytrice Washington at Northridge High School. Russell averaged 17.1 points per game, 6.8 boards, 4.7 assists and 4.5 steals per game as a junior. Russell has etched her name in the record books at Northridge as she is the first to score more than 1000 career points and 500 points in a single season.

“I recall one of my first conversations with [Russell] — ‘Coach Smith, I want to be a part of bringing greatness back to the women’s game in my hometown.’ Those words spoke volumes to me. You take that kind of personal pride and accountability, coupled with amazing character and the ability to play the game; well, that’s a package hard to overlook. Ericka may be most recognizable for her three-point shot and playmaking skills, both of which I like, but my favorite aspect of Ericka’s game lies in her ability to defend. She can be relentless defensively when she wants to be.”

McCoy, a 6-foot-4 center from Leeds High School will bring her post skills to Tuscaloosa. McCoy averaged 12.7 points per game and 13 rebounds per game as a junior. McCoy also added eight blocks a game and helped Leeds to two regional appearances in Mobile her freshman and sophomore seasons.

“Carmen is a low post player with an attitude of controlling the boards,” Smith said. “She is the first true center we have signed and has tremendous physical size and presence.”

Robinson hails from Raymond, Miss., and plays for Raymond High School. She led Raymond to a 32-7 mark while pouring in 18.7 points per game and 14 rebounds. Robinson, a 6-foot-2 forward also dished out two assists and tallied two steals per game.

“Kayla is a very strong power forward who can provide great presence around the rim,” Smith said.

Sykes will come to Tuscaloosa from Momence, Ill., where she stars at Momence High School. Sykes is rated No. 58 in the country by Hoopgurlz.com and No. 19 at her guard position and was a first-team All-State selection. At 5-foot-10 she averaged 19.6 points per game and 9.7 rebounds while adding 4.5 steals and 3.9 assists as a junior. Sykes led her team to a 27-2 mark last season and to the round of 16 at the Super Sectional. The appearance at the sectional was a first for Momence High School.

“Candace is a very well rounded guard who can shoot the deep three with great accuracy,” Smith said. “She has solid ball handling skills — athleticism and the ability to play at all guard spots as well as small forward. My favorite trait of Candace as a basketball player, however, is her basketball savvy and how cerebral she is in playing the game.”