June 8, 2008

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich has announced the signing of four student-athletes to national letters-of-intent to attend WTAMU and play for the Lady Buffs during the 2008-09 season.

The foursome, comprised of three centers and a guard, includes Michele Brister, La'Kreeya Hairston, Ceciley Johnson and Ashley Leven

Michelle Brister, a 5-5 guard from Amarillo, Texas (High), earned first-team all-District honors and was the Amarillo Globe-News Class 5A/4A Player of the Year in 2007-08. During her senior season, she averaged 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 steals per game. Michelle is the younger sister of Lady Buff all-time leading scorer Emily Brister.

"Michelle brings quickness to perimeter game," said coach Gerlich. "She is a solid point guard, has great court vision and is a tenacious defender."

La'Kreeya `KeKe' Hairston, a 6-3 center from Antioch, Calif., earned all-Coast Conference honorable mention in 2007-08, averaging 8.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest while at Ohlone College in Fremont, Calif. A member of the 2007-08 Coast Conference Championship-winning Lady Renegade squad, she is a 2006 graduate of Antioch Deer Valley High School.

"KeKe is a very strong, physical player," coach Gerlich said. "She will be a force on the boards at both ends of the court and will help us defensively."

Ceciley Johnson, a 6-2 center from San Pablo, Calif., was selected first-team all-Coast Conference after posting averages of 13.3 points and 10.3 rebounds while at Ohlone College. A teammate of La'Kreeya Hairston during the 2006-07 season, Johnson shot 49.6 pct. from the field to help lead the Lady Renegades to the Coast Conference championship that year. She is a 2005 graduate of Oakland, Calif., Albany High School.

"Ceciley is a true post player," said Gerlich. "She has a strong back-to-the-basket game. She should step in immediately and contribute for us in the post and she will add a much-needed physical presence to our inside game."

Ashley Leven, a 6-2 center from Amarillo, Texas (High), earned first-team all-District honors during her senior season. She averaged 7.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 2007-08 and was a teammate to fellow Lady Buff signee Michelle Brister.

"Ashley has endless potential," said coach Gerlich. "She is a very versatile athlete with a great wingspan. I am really excited about her future."

The Lady Buffs recorded a 26-5 record in 2007-08, winning the Lone Star Conference championship for the second time in the past three seasons and advancing to the NCAA South Central Regional quarterfinals.