April 23, 2008

Southwood High's two-time state champion, Raiyawna Gatlin became McNeese State's women's basketball's ninth recruit for the 2008-09 season by signing a national letter of intent on Monday.

Gatlin, a 5'6" guard/forward is the sixth Louisiana signee for Coach Williams, who has significantly added in-state student-athletes to the Cowgirl roster. When Williams and her staff arrived in Lake Charles, the Cowgirl roster had a lone Louisianan, Fairview High School standout, Courtnee' Hollins.

Hollins, who will be a senior next season, will be joined by fellow Louisianans for the 2008-09 season with junior college transfer and pre-season junior college all American forward, Kayla Armstrong (Denham Springs HS/LSUE); north Louisiana's all state center, Ja'Niqua Kendrix (Neville HS); all state guard/forward, Kendra Wells (Scottlandville HS); all state guards, Caitlyn and Ashlyn Baggett (Iota HS); and the 2008 5A state tournament most valuable player, Raiyawna Gatlin (Southwood HS).

Gatlin, the 5A state tournament MVP, becomes the second Cowgirl signee of the 2008-09 recruiting class to garner the state's most valuable player honors this season. Iota High's Caitlyn Baggett took home the 3A MVP trophy. All five of the Louisiana high school Cowgirl signees were named to their respective all state teams.

"What a special group of young ladies from the state of Louisiana," said Williams. "One thing I am very proud of is all six of these young ladies have academic honors as well. They strive for excellence on the floor and in the classroom. It is a special bunch. They will be wonderful representatives for McNeese State University and for the state of Louisiana."

Gatlin shot 59 percent from the field and averaged 12.1 ppg. for the 5A state champions. She participated in the Louisiana High School Athletic Associations All Star game where she teamed with Cowgirl signees, Kendra Wells and Ja'Niqua Kendrix and competed against Caitlyn and Ashlyn Baggett.

Gatlin, an all-city player from Shreveport, LA, has brought two state championships home to Southwood in her playing career.

"Raiyawna is a special kid," says Williams. "She has a special passion for the game and for winning. She believes in us. She believes in our vision for the future. Anytime you have the opportunity to have a young lady who is a winner in life, on the court and has a will to be the best, you have to sign her. She hasn't even touched the surface of what we believe she can become. She was coached by one of the best in Louisiana (Southwood head coach, Steve McDowell) and he believes she will continue to improve as she moves to the guard spot. The sky is the limit for such a great athlete who is willing to put in the time to work and has a passion to get better. Again, she is a winner so I have no doubt great things are in store for her."

McNeese Cowgirl 2008-09 Recruiting Class

Alexis Andrews 6'1" Forward Dallas, Tx (Duncanville HS)

Kayla Armstrong 5'10" Forward Denham Springs, La (Denham Springs

HS/LSUE)

Ashlyn Baggett 5'6" Guard Iota, La (Iota HS)

Caitlyn Baggett 5'6" Guard Iota, La (Iota HS)

Raiyawna Gatlin 5'6" Guard Shreveport, La (Southwood HS)

Ja'Niqua Kendrix 6'1" Forward Monroe, La (Neville HS)

Adrienne Minor 6'3" Center Beaumont, Tx (Ozen HS)

Lauren Nutter 6'2" Center Georgetown, Tx (Georgetown HS)

Kendra Wells 5'11" Forward Port Allen, La (Scottlandville HS)