2 more recruits from the VA/DC area.
www.winchesterstar.com/TheWinchesterStar/061016/Sports_russ.aspMonday, October 16, 2006
Russ gives verbal to N.C. A&T
By Drew Houff
The Winchester Star
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WINCHESTER — Handley senior Taryn Russ plans to continue her basketball career at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C.
Under NCAA rules, Russ can officially sign a letter of intent to play for the Aggies any time between Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 for the 2007-2008 season.
Her father, Kevin Russ, said Taryn began narrowing the pool of potential schools back in the spring, eventually coming up with three or four likely schools.
North Carolina A&T won out on account of several reasons, he said.
“She has always wanted to go to school in the South,” Kevin Russ said. “It also mattered how she got along with the coaching staff and that it had what she wanted to major in. She will study sports management.”
He said the Russ family is pleased with the choice, with Greensboro being a good location and the A&T campus being a good fit for Taryn.
“They also have a good group of coaches,” Kevin Russ noted.
He said the Russ family looked at potential programs in such places as Boston, Philadelphia, and Delaware on unofficial visits after she had played in some AAU tournaments.
Taryn made two official visits, including the one to North Carolina A&T, before finally deciding on the Aggies, Kevin Russ said.
He said assistant coach Tarrell Robinson, a 2001 graduate of N.C. A&T, visited the Russ home and helped land Taryn for the program.
The Aggies head coach, Patricia Cage-Bibbs, is preparing for her second year with the program. She also has been a head coach with Hampton University and Grambling State University, her alma mater.
Taryn Russ said she made the decision after visiting the North Carolina A&T campus and meeting with the coaches.
“When I met the coaches and saw the campus, it was definitely a good thing for me,” she explained. “Coach (Cage-Bibbs) was exactly what I was looking for. She plays a fast-paced offense, and they will need a point guard and a two guard (next year).
“She basically told us that she cares about us after basketball.”
Russ said the trip to North Carolina A&T came when her AAU team, the Harrisonburg Heat, played in a tournament in Greensboro.
She said that trip allowed her to see the campus and get a different evaluation of North Carolina A&T.
“It was different than everywhere else,” Russ said.
Russ added that Cage-Bibbs’ history of building programs also served as a strong reason to choose the Aggies’ program. “She has a great history.”
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www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=73076&paper=60&cat=152Neeley Accepts College Offer
Wakefield High girls basketbaall center makes verbal committment
October 26, 2006
Wakefield High senior girls basketball player Brittane Neeley has made a verbal commitment to play the sport collegiately at North Carolina A&T, which is an NCAA Div. 1 member of the Mideastern Athletic Conference.
Neeley, a 6-foot-center for Wakefield, averaged 15 points and 9.5 rebounds for the Warriors last year as a junior. She also averaged two blocks and two steals per contest in helping Wakefield (12-13 overall) qualify for the Northern Region playoffs where the Warriors saw their season end with a first round loss to Madison.
Wakefield head coach DeVaughn Drayton, who said Neeley verbally committed to North Carolina A&T two weeks ago, said the inside players' strong work ethic has been a big factor in her success on the hardwood.
"I've coached her since she was a freshmen and she always wanted to improve," said Drayton. "Her work ethic is constant."
Neeley is a solid inside player who can post up and score and grab rebounds. She has also improved her shooting range.
"She took the initiative to work on her jump shot," said Drayton.
Neeley, along with being a standout basketball player, is also a solid student in the classroom, according to her coach.
"She's an outstanding student," he said. "Now [with her college plans solidified] she can focus on her senior year and continuing to be a good student."
