Georgetown Lady Eagles coach Rhonda Farney said it was a first for here highly successful basketball program — three seniors signing their letters of intent on the first day of the signing period. On Monday afternoon at Eagle Gym before a large crowd of family, teammates, friends and school personnel forward/post Jaelyn Knight, guard Ali Isbell and post Jade Smith made their college choices official — Knight to Oklahoma City University, Isbell to Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., and Smith to McMurry University in Abilene.
All three players were key performers for a Georgetown team that went 23-11 on the season, made a championship 12-0 run through District 18-5A and advanced two rounds deep in the Class 5A state playoffs. Knight, the 18-5A offensive player of the year was a two time first team all-district selection. Smith and Isbell were both two time all-district honorable mention choices. Academically, Isbell and Knight were named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association’s All-State Academic Team in addition to being two of the 12 Lady Eagles selected to the all-district academic team.
Looking at the three as a coach and life mentor Farney said, “Ali started as a ballgirl, played in the Dribblers program and has been a fixture in our program, It’s been exciting to watch her develop as a person and a basketball player. She is part of one of the hardest-working classes we’ve ever hand. I’m very, very proud that she is going to be able to continue her development at Hendrix. “Early on in our program Jaelyn was named “too hard” by other players, but, in her case, that was a very positive description of her efforts to excel. She was a person that made things happen. She will be joining a very successful program at Oklahoma City University. “Jade was spotted early by out middle school coaches and has continually improved her game and we expect her to have a very positive experience at McMurry. “I can’t put in words about the new chapters they are beginning in their lives.”
Knight has picked one of the consistent winners in NAIA Division I women’s basketball. The Stars stand 29-4 on the season and have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in Billings, Mont., after winning the Sooner Athletic Conference regular-season title and finishing second to the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens in the SAC Tournament. OCU is a private liberal arts and sciences United Methodist university established in 1904. It has approximately 1,800 undergraduate students.Former Lady Eagle Taylor LaCour is a senior on this season’s OCU team.
Isbell has selected a school with a strong academic reputation. Hendrix offers a secular curriculum and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It has approximately 1,400 students (mostly undergraduates). The Warriors posted a 7-19 record this season, including a 2-12 record in the NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association. Hendrix lost to Millsaps in the opening round of the SAA postseason tournament. Former Lady Eagle Maddie Anderson is a senior this year at Hendrix.
Heading to West Texas, Smith will be attending McMurry, an NCAA Division III school in the highly regarded American Southwest Conference. McMurry is a private Methodist liberal arts university with approximately 1,100 undergraduate students. This season the War Hawks finished with an 8-18 record including A 5-11 mark in the ASC. McMurry lost to tournament champion UT-Dallas in the opening round of the conference tournament. The 6-1 Smith will fill an immediate need for the War Hawks — height. McMurry did not have a player on its roster over 5-10 this year and only four players as tall as 5-8.
Why did you make the choice of school that you did?
Knight: ” I fell in love with the campus. It’s not far from home, but away from home.”
Isbell: “I feel I fit in with the team. . . . I loved the school. . . . It offers great academic choices. . There are things there that will help keep me on track.”
Smith: “I like the team and how it’s run. . . . It will keep me close to my family.”
What are your goals?
Knight: “In basketball I want to be great and lead my team to the national title. Basically, I want to be the best I can be, (in all areas).”
Isbell: “To graduate and be the best I can be in basketball. I’m probably going to major in business and we’ll see where things go from there.”
Smith: “I want to do well in basketball and in delivering babies (her course of study).”
How did GHS prepare you for the next step in your life?
Knight: “I feel I’m prepared for anything I face. I don’t think I’ll have to face any workouts tougher than what coach Farney demands.”
Isbell: “How to handle adversity, make adjustments and drama and people skills. Learning to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Smith: “It’s taught me what to experience and handle in that future in both basketball and beyond.”