Flagler College Athletics

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. − Flagler College Head Women’s Basketball Coach Erika Lang-Montgomery announced some more additions to her first recruiting class this afternoon. She has added six more student-athletes to round out the overall class at seven newcomers.

The new arrivals are: Ashley Crider (Ocoee, Fla./East Tennessee State University), Tierra Ford (Kansas City, Mo./Missouri Western State University), Shelbi Lindsey (Apopka, Fla./Lake Mary HS), Shakia Roché (St. Augustine, Fla./Allen D. Nease HS), Marie Taylor (Inverness, Fla./Lecanto HS) and Danielle White (Sanford, Fla./Lake Mary HS).

This group of six joins early signee Ebonee Bell in Lang-Montgomery’s inaugural class.

“I am excited about the players that make up my first recruiting class at Flagler College,” said Lang-Montgomery. “I think each player is special to the growth of this basketball team. There were specific needs I felt our team needed and we have addressed those needs with this class. We are adding four state championship winners to an already hungry team.”

Crider and Ford already have collegiate experience under their belts. Ford, a 5-foot-10 forward, has played the last two-and-one-half years at NCAA Division II Missouri Western State University. Her junior season was cut short due to injury, but she averaged 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in her career for the Griffons. As a sophomore she averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game. Ford also blocked 22 shots as a freshman. She prepped at Bishop Miege High School in Kansas City where she helped lead the Stags to the state title in 2007.

“I am excited to coach Tierra next season,” said Lang-Montgomery. “I recruited her when I was an assistant at Wichita State and was very impressed with her talents then. Her 3-point shooting has improved and she will be a big part of our team’s success next year. She won a state championship her senior year of high school and I am counting on Tierra to provide that championship mentality to our young team. Although she will only have one season of eligibility with us, I am confident she will have a smooth transition and successful senior season.”

Crider, a 6-foot-2 forward, spent last year at NCAA Division I member East Tennessee State. She played in 13 games and helped the Lady Bucs win the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season and conference tournament titles. At Ocoee High, Crider averaged 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game. She grabbed 667 rebounds and blocked 452 shots in her illustrious career at Ocoee. Crider has three years of eligibility left.

“Ashley was on a team that made it to post season play last season,” said Lang-Montgomery. “She gives us some additional height in the post as well as provides a defensive presence in the paint. Her wing span is impressive and makes her an effective shot blocker. Ashley is an athletic player that may see some time on the perimeter in addition to her time in the post.”

Lindsey is a 5-foot-11 forward/center from Lake Mary High. She helped lead the Rams to the Class 6A title this past season and averaged 7.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2-7 steals per game. Lindsey was a second-team All-Seminole County selection as a senior.

“Shelbi is a tremendous athlete with a huge heart,” said Lang-Montgomery. “She is determined to not be outworked on the court. Her wing span, defensive tenacity and love for rebounding will be a crowd pleaser. Shelbi comes from a strong basketball program (Lake Mary High School) that won a state championship this past season. I love her work ethic and I know she will help make the other players on the floor better.”

Roché is a 5-foot-7 forward from nearby Nease High where she played for former Flagler star Sherri Anthony. As a senior, she averaged 13.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Panthers. Roché is also a four-time first-team all-conference selection and scored over 1,000 points.

“Shakia brings the much needed athleticism and quickness we were missing on the perimeter last season,” said Lang-Montgomery. “She has the potential to be a great defender as well as give us added depth offensively. Shakia is a local talent and we are excited that she has chosen to stay close to home to further her education.”

Taylor is a 6-foot-1 forward/center from Lecanto High. She helped lead the Panthers to a district title this past season and a 20-0 regular season as a junior. Taylor led the team in blocked shots three years in a row. As a senior, she averaged 8.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

“It won’t be long before Marie makes her presence know in the post,” said Lang-Montgomery. “She is a strong rebounder and very active inside the paint. Marie has a nice shooting touch and can knock down the 15-footer consistently.”

White is a 5-foot-7 guard and high school teammate of Shelbi Lindsey. She averaged 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1-1 assists per game for Lake Mary. White scored eight points and sank a pair of 3-pointers in Lake Mary’s 49-40 win over Lourdes in the 6A state championship on Feb. 27.

“Danielle is a shooting guard who can knock down the open three,” said Lang-Montgomery. “What impressed me the most about Danielle is her potential to be a defensive stopper. She is a smart player that understands the game. She was also a part of Lake Mary’s State championship team and she knows what it takes to win ball games.”

Flagler will open the 2010-11 season at home against Ave Maria University Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. at Flagler Gym. The Saints are coming off an 8-19 season, including a 3-15 mark in conference play, their first in the Peach Belt Conference.