April 14, 2005

West Texas A&M University women's basketball head coach Bob Schneider announced today (April 14) that area talent, Mariah Willis from Odessa, Texas has signed to play basketball for the Lady Buffs.

Willis, a 6-1 forward, comes to WTAMU from Odessa High School, where she was a four-year starter for the Lady Bronchos, leading them to a 29-6 mark last season and the District 3-5A Championship, the first district title in the program's history. She earned district MVP honors after posting 13.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, finishing second in the district in scoring and first in rebounding. Willis, a four-year starter and letterwinner, also was a second-team All-District selection as a sophomore and honorable mention All-District honoree as a freshman and junior. She also is a three-year letterwinner in track, helping Odessa High to the District championship as a sophomore.

"Mariah is going to be able to come in and contribute to the Lady Buff basketball program, she is very strong under the basket and can post up, as well as move out and hit a 10-15 foot jump shot," Schneider said. "She is really going to help us inside, especially in filling the void left by losing Celeste Stevenson and Vasha Adams to graduation. Mariah is one of those players who can handle herself under the basket and make herself some space and score, as well as rebound.

"Another thing that really impressed me about Mariah was her ability to pass, she has great court vision and can read the defense and find the open player."

Willis is the first member of the Lady Buffs' 2005 recruiting class.

WTAMU finished the season with a 21-9 record, losing in the quarterfinals of the NCAA-II South Central Regional Tournament to Washburn, who went on to win the National Championship. The Lady Buffs reached the 20-win plateau for the 18th season under head coach Bob Schneider, including the last three years.

-WT-