University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Land Two During the Early Signing Period
11/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Southern Miss women's basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis announced the signing of Molly Brown of Douglasville, Ga., and Shonte Hailes of Quitman, Miss., to national letters of intent and grant-in-aid scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year.
"Both of these young ladies have only experienced winning... Winners find ways to be successful," McNelis said. "We are blessed to have them as a part of our program and wish them much success as they complete their current seasons."
Brown, a 5' 10" shooting forward, started 17 of 28 games for the Lady Jets as a freshman. She averaged 9.3 points per game as well as 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.7 steals. She is a 46% shooter from the field and hit 37.7 percent of her three point shots and 73.2 percent of her free throws.
"We are excited to have Molly Brown join our Lady Eagle family," said McNelis. "Molly brings junior college experience and possesses leadership skills that are expected to impact our program. Molly can shoot the ball from deep and has a tough mid-range jumper. Molly will provide us with depth at the shooting guard position as well as provide us with a winning attitude and leadership. Molly has made herself a college player because of her love for the game and desire to live a dream."
Brown was selected to represent South Georgia Technical College as one of the top 40 NJCAA Student-Athletes of the year this past summer at the NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Weekend in Niceville, Fla. At that competition, Brown was selected as the first recipient of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 3-D award named for the late Patrick Harrington, former head coach of the Northwest Florida State Lady Raiders women's basketball team. She is the daughter of Michael and Tami Brown.
South Georgia Technical College Athletic Director and Lady Jets head basketball coach James Frey said, "Molly Brown is a great player but even more important, she is a great person. The University of Southern Mississippi is getting the complete package with Molly Brown.
"We are blessed to have Molly Brown in our program. We appreciate her trusting us to help her get to where she wanted to go as a student and as a basketball player," added Coach Frey. "I look forward to watching her grow this season and then as she continues her student athlete career at the University of Southern Mississippi."
Brown said, "I'm very, very big on family and part of the reason I have seen so much success in my lifetime is because of family. My family means everything to me they're very supportive and motivating and I was worried when I first moved off to college because I had to leave my family. South Ga Tech was an amazing stepping stone for me, being here really does feel like being a part of a bigger family and now that this chapter had to come to a close it was very important for me to find another place where I could feel like I am a part of a family. My visit to Southern Miss was wonderful from the coaches to the players and just everyone around us it felt like the place I needed to be."
Hailes, a 5'6 senior point guard from Quitman High School, averages 16 points and six rebounds per game. At Quitman, Hailes is a two-time Division MVP and a three-time All-Division selection. She is also a three-time recipient of the QHS Heart Award.
"We are excited to have Shonte join our Lady Eagle basketball program," McNelis said. "Shonte is coached by one of the best who recently won her 800th game, Coach Gina Skelton. Shonte is a worker that understands success does not come without total commitment. Shonte will provide us depth at the point guard position. She is considered a local girl who will have the opportunity to have her family and friends share in her college experience. Shonte `s personality will bring many smiles to our fan base."
Hailes, who plans to major in Sports Management, is the QHS team MVP, and was also the school homecoming queen. She is the daughter of Shannon Johnson.
According to Skelton, "Shonte is like an extension of the coach on the floor. She understands and knows the game. She sees the floor very well and is able to get the ball where it needs to go. Shonte can shoot the three, pull up for a jumper or get to the rack with her ball handling abilities. She is a team player, always trying to get her teammates involved. We are excited that Shonte chose Southern Miss and will be close to home so that we can see her continue her basketball career."
"It's always been my dream to play college basketball and now that dream is coming true," Hailes said. "I love the coaching staff at USM, the players and the intensity in which they play. When I took my visit, it was evident to me that USM was where I belonged. I'm so excited that I will be a part of the Lady Eagle family. Southern Miss To The Top."
