University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Lands Local Product
11/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss women's coach Joye Lee-McNelis announce the signing of local standout Anteria Berry of Oak Grove High School to a national letter-of-intent and grant-in-aid scholarship for the 2012-13 academic year.
"We are so excited to have someone from our Hattiesburg community to be a part of the Lady Eagle family," McNelis said. "It is a win-win for all involved. Terry's family gets an opportunity to watch her play, while we get a young lady who possesses the potential to become a dominating center. We have watched Terry from her days at North Forrest to Oak Grove. Her improvement has been tremendous and we feel with her desire to get better we have a diamond in the rough."
Berry, a 6-foot-3 center, is currently averaging a double-double with 17.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 9.0 blocks per game while shooting 67-percent from the field at Oak Grove High School for coach Mark Swindle. As a junior, she averaged 12.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 6.0 blocks per game. She shot 56-percent from the field. She earned all-district and all-area honors.
"Becoming a part of the Southern Miss Lady Eagles Basketball team is a major opportunity that I never thought would happen for me," Berry said. "It took hard work and dedication just to make it this far, and I only intend on going further."
Berry has been tabbed as one of Mississippi's Top 40 Seniors to Watch by the Clarion Ledger. She played two seasons at North Forrest High School where she averaged 6.6 points a sophomore.
"The reason why I chose Southern Miss is because I get to stay close to home, but also be far enough to be my own person," Berry said. "Also, it has a great educational program. The team made me feel right at home. I will keep pushing myself until my good is better and my better is the best."
2012-13 Women's Basketball Early Signees
Samirah Ali, 5-2, G, Hazel Crest, Ill./Hillcrest HS
Anteria Berry, 6-3, C, Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS
Jerontay Clemons, 5-8, G, Coldwater, Miss./Coldwater HS
Tiarra Pollnitz, 5-9, G, Birmingham, Ala./Shades Valley HS
