Women's Basketball Lands Florida Standout
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss women's basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis announced the signing of Keri Jewitt of Fort Myers, Fla., to a national letter of intent and grant-in-aid scholarship for the 2015-16 academic year.
"We are excited to have Keri Jewitt as part of our Lady Eagle family," said McNelis. "Keri is a winner. She has won at every level - middle school, high school and in club. She is the true meaning of the word competitor. Every possession she is fighting to win. She has tremendous quickness and speed to complement our philosophy. Keri is a young lady of high character and possesses a passion to do what is right, again, we are excited to have Keri join our family."
Jewitt, a 5-6, guard, plays at Dunbar High School for Coach Dwayne Donnell where she scored 1,288 career points to go with 401 assists, 315 steals and 254 rebounds. She is a three-time Class 4A all-state honoree while earning all-district honors and News-Press all-area team accolades for past three years. Jewitt was named News-Press Player All-Area Player of the Year twice and named District 28 Player of the Year honors two times. She also was named to the Lee County Athletic all-conference team for three straight years.
"I have to say it has been a true pleasure and honor to have the privilege of coaching, admiring, mentoring and spectating during Keri Jewitt's high school career," said Donnell. "I could write a book on the growth of this young lady, not only athletically, but mentally and physically as well. You will not find a harder working young lady than Keri Jewitt. She stated early in her career that she wanted to be the GOAT (Greatest Of All Times) of Lee County women's basketball, winding up her career I'm certain she will be in any and every conversation in regards to the greatest female basketball of all times in our area. She deserves every accolade, accomplishment and feat she garners as her work ethic is unmatched to date during my 21 years of coaching."
Jewitt helped lead her team to the Class 4A state champion as a freshman, averaging 16.9 points, 5.9 assists and 4.9 steals while earning MVP honors.
"I chose the University of Southern Mississippi because I felt a connection with the coaches from day one," Jewitt said. "They were very serious about recruiting me to the point where they were my first phone call on September 1st of my junior year. Plus, USM was the first offer I received. Tons of schools showed interest but it was something different with Southern Miss. While on my visit, things only got better, everyone was so welcoming, I was impressed with the facilities, and the academic programs were great. It was more than I expected. I am beyond ready to reveal my skill in the classroom and on the court."