University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Signs Four on National Signing Day
11/12/2020 2:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Head coach Joye Lee-McNelis and her staff announced the signing of four new Lady Eagles on National Signing Day.
The Black and Gold add a pair of players from both Florida and Texas, signing two guards, a forward and a center.
"During these unprecedented times we are blessed to have signed four young ladies who share the same values that the program was founded on," McNelis said. "Hard work, positive attitude, while caring for others will allow each of them to play an important role in our team. My staff has done a tremendous job in finding players who we believe will play with a fire in the belly mentality."
Morgan Dillard | 5'9" Guard | Sanford, Fla. | Seminole High School
"Morgan makes the game seem easy because she is so smooth. Morgan averaged 18 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead Seminole High to successful seasons. Morgan is a two-time Adidas All-American, while being named Seminole County Player of the Year during her sophomore and junior year. She has assumed leadership roles on her team being selected as team captain her entire high school career. She is expected to score 2,000 points during her senior campaign. Morgan is a competitor who is a 'bucket getter.' She is expected to add size and strength to our perimeter game. We are thrilled to have Morgan as a part of Lady Eagle Basketball."
Emma Wallhoff | 5'10" Guard | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Westminster Academy
"Emma was named three-time Athlete of the Year for her high school classification. Last season, she was named Player of the Year by the Miami Herald while averaging 17.3 points and six rebounds during her junior season. Emma has made over 476 3's for her varsity career. We are excited to add a player that we believe can stretch the floor beyond the 3-point line. Emma, being a big guard, has a multi-dimensional skill set that will allow her to play several positions. Emma, plays for her mom, Shannon Wallhoff, at Westminster Academy and plays for Team Knight in club ball. I believe anytime you can have a coach's child in your program it helps everyone better understand what it takes to be great. Emma is just as successful in the classroom. Her competitive spirit enables her to enjoy positive results after hard work."
Asjha Leake | 6'3" Center | Cibolo, Texas | Steele High School
"Asjha brings size and winning to the Lady Eagles. She also played competitively with one of the top club teams in Texas-San Antonio Finest. Asjha is a relentless rebounder and creates her own scoring opportunities off the glass. She has led her team to the playoffs every year in a Steele high school uniform. She is a two-time All-District player, than has also served as team captain. Her success has not just been on the court, but in the classroom as she was named Academic All District. Asjha brings much-needed depth to our center position."
Asia Broughton | 6'0" Forward | Houston, Texas | Cypress Ridge High School
"Asia is the daughter of former head coach Yolanda Wells at Texas Southern University. We feel blessed to have another coach's child in our program. Asia has watched her mom coach at many different levels and knows that to be successful—there is NO time to be lazy. The first team All-District player and senior captain averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds as a junior. Asia is an aggressive player who enjoys the contact in the post. She can score multiple ways but prefers anything with contact. Asia is an undersized post in height but plays bigger that she is due to her physical play. We are happy to have Asia to give us more depth at the power forward position."
"Each one in this class will give us the added depth needed for our program to compete for the C-USA championship. Off the court, when I think of these four young ladies, I can say they all possess class and dignity in all that they do. They are proven winners, and we welcome them to the Lady Eagle family."
The Black and Gold add a pair of players from both Florida and Texas, signing two guards, a forward and a center.
"During these unprecedented times we are blessed to have signed four young ladies who share the same values that the program was founded on," McNelis said. "Hard work, positive attitude, while caring for others will allow each of them to play an important role in our team. My staff has done a tremendous job in finding players who we believe will play with a fire in the belly mentality."
Morgan Dillard | 5'9" Guard | Sanford, Fla. | Seminole High School
"Morgan makes the game seem easy because she is so smooth. Morgan averaged 18 points, six rebounds and four assists to lead Seminole High to successful seasons. Morgan is a two-time Adidas All-American, while being named Seminole County Player of the Year during her sophomore and junior year. She has assumed leadership roles on her team being selected as team captain her entire high school career. She is expected to score 2,000 points during her senior campaign. Morgan is a competitor who is a 'bucket getter.' She is expected to add size and strength to our perimeter game. We are thrilled to have Morgan as a part of Lady Eagle Basketball."
Adding another from the Sunshine State ☀️
— Southern Miss Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) November 11, 2020
Welcome to the Lady Eagle family, @_MoDillard!#SMTTT | #NSD pic.twitter.com/Mjkgr7EMmY
Emma Wallhoff | 5'10" Guard | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Westminster Academy
"Emma was named three-time Athlete of the Year for her high school classification. Last season, she was named Player of the Year by the Miami Herald while averaging 17.3 points and six rebounds during her junior season. Emma has made over 476 3's for her varsity career. We are excited to add a player that we believe can stretch the floor beyond the 3-point line. Emma, being a big guard, has a multi-dimensional skill set that will allow her to play several positions. Emma, plays for her mom, Shannon Wallhoff, at Westminster Academy and plays for Team Knight in club ball. I believe anytime you can have a coach's child in your program it helps everyone better understand what it takes to be great. Emma is just as successful in the classroom. Her competitive spirit enables her to enjoy positive results after hard work."
The Miami Herald's 4A-2A Broward Girls' Basketball Player of the Year is coming to the Hub City! 😎
— Southern Miss Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) November 11, 2020
Welcome to the Lady Eagle family, @emwall23!#SMTTT | #NSD pic.twitter.com/WgqKp6AajH
Asjha Leake | 6'3" Center | Cibolo, Texas | Steele High School
"Asjha brings size and winning to the Lady Eagles. She also played competitively with one of the top club teams in Texas-San Antonio Finest. Asjha is a relentless rebounder and creates her own scoring opportunities off the glass. She has led her team to the playoffs every year in a Steele high school uniform. She is a two-time All-District player, than has also served as team captain. Her success has not just been on the court, but in the classroom as she was named Academic All District. Asjha brings much-needed depth to our center position."
2⃣1⃣0⃣ ➡️ 6⃣0⃣1⃣
— Southern Miss Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) November 12, 2020
Welcome to the Lady Eagle family, @LeakeAsjha35!#SMTTT | #NSD pic.twitter.com/DzqYMoEUcx
Asia Broughton | 6'0" Forward | Houston, Texas | Cypress Ridge High School
"Asia is the daughter of former head coach Yolanda Wells at Texas Southern University. We feel blessed to have another coach's child in our program. Asia has watched her mom coach at many different levels and knows that to be successful—there is NO time to be lazy. The first team All-District player and senior captain averaged 12 points and 9 rebounds as a junior. Asia is an aggressive player who enjoys the contact in the post. She can score multiple ways but prefers anything with contact. Asia is an undersized post in height but plays bigger that she is due to her physical play. We are happy to have Asia to give us more depth at the power forward position."
Final piece of the puzzle 🧩
— Southern Miss Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) November 12, 2020
Welcome to the Lady Eagle family, @broughton_asia1!#SMTTT | #NSD pic.twitter.com/x8Bz6DyItv
"Each one in this class will give us the added depth needed for our program to compete for the C-USA championship. Off the court, when I think of these four young ladies, I can say they all possess class and dignity in all that they do. They are proven winners, and we welcome them to the Lady Eagle family."
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