LIVINGSTON, Ala. – West Alabama’s head women’s basketball coach Amanda Marks announces the signing of seven student-athletes for the 2009-2010 season. The list includes four community college transfers and three high school seniors.

“I’m excited about this group of young ladies,” Marks said. “I think we have been down the last two seasons and we want to get back to the days of 20 win seasons. This group has a chance to get us back to those days.”

Nicole Dames, a 5’7, point guard, makes her way to Livingston from Kishwaukee College (Ill.). Dames averaged 11 points and four assists per game. A NJCAA Pre-Season First Team All-American, she was named Region IV and Arrowhead All-Conference along with Arrowhead Academic All-Conference. She finished as the single season and career assist record holder and is the sixth all-time leading scorer.

Marquisha Loper and Larrenda Rockwell join the squad from Shelton State Community College. The duo helped the Lady Bucs to the State JUCO Championships and NJCAA in their two seasons at Shelton State. Shelton State finished sixth in the country last season. Loper, a 5’5, guard, averaged 14 points, two rebounds, and shot 37-percent from behind the three-point arc, while leading SSCC in scoring. Loper was a NJCAA Third Team All-American last season and participated in the Alabama JUCO All-Star game. Rockwell, a 5’9, forward, averaged five points and three rebounds while shooting 36-percent from behind the arc.

Lacey Griffin rounds out the transfers, coming to UWA from Alabama Southern Community College. Griffin, a 5’8, guard, posted a scoring average of 12 points and pulled down three rebounds. Griffin was a two-time all-conference performer and participant in the Alabama JUCO All-Star game. Last season, Griffin helped guide the Lady Eagles to a State JUCO runner-up finish.

Dakota Powell, a 5’4 point guard, comes to Livingston from Scottsboro High School in Scottsboro, Ala. Powell averaged 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals per game. SHS was 87-32 during her four-year career while playing in three Northeast Region Finals.

Telise Green, a 6’3, center, averaged a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds along with six assists, two steals and five blocks at Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Ga. Green, an early signee during the fall, was named Athlete of the Year in Cobb County.

Brittany Yeager, a 6’2, post player, comes to UWA from Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Ga. Yeager, averaged a double-double her junior season with 10 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Yeager was named Cherokee County First Team in 2007-2008. Yeager set four school records with rebounds in a single season (309), rebounds per game and rebounds in a single game (21) and also shot 77-percent from the free throw line.