University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Add to 2024 Signing Class
4/26/2024 12:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss women's basketball received two commitments from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Je'Mya Evans and Albany High School's Ava Shields, bringing their overall 2024 signing class to five members.
"We are excited to have Je'Mya Evans and Ava Shields join our Lady Eagle family," said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "Both of these young ladies have high characters and are on a mission to live their dreams."
Je'Mya Evans
Junior | Forward | 6'0" | TR
Gulfport, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Harrison Central HS
Je'Mya Evans, a two-year letterwinner at Mississippi Gulf Coast (Perkinston, Miss.), is the class of the NJCAA. Evans earned a spot on the All-NJCAA Region 23 Team after averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Her efforts helped the Bulldogs win their first region title since 1977 with a 23-5 overall record and 13-1 performance in MACCC play.
"Je'Mya brings the toughness that we need from a power forward," said McNelis. "She is an overcomer that has always found the positives in every challenge that she has faced. Her skill set is different and expected to bring another dimension to our team."
In two seasons at Gulf Coast, Evans made 38 starts across 51 games, including starting all 28 games of the 2023-24 season. She finished 191-of-422 (45.3 percent) from the floor and scored 458 total points. She grabbed 278 rebounds, blocked 17 shots, dished out 23 assists and swiped 29 steals as a Bulldog.
Her breakout sophomore season not only netted Evans a spot on the All-NJCAA Region 23 team, but saw her shoot 47.9 percent from the floor for a total of 358 points, 182 rebounds, 20 assists, 22 steals and eight blocks on 28.3 minutes per game.
Prior to her two seasons for Perk, Evans lettered at Harrison Central High School (Lyman, Miss.) for coach Nancy Ladner. She averaged 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game to lead the Red Rebels to the MHSAA Class 6A Final Four in Jackson. Her heroics saw her earn her second Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Team nod of her career after debuting on the team as a junior.
Ava Shields
Freshman | Guard | 5'11" | HS
Hammond, La. | Albany HS
Ava Shields signs with the Lady Eagles after a successful prep career at Albany High School (Albany, La.) for coach Stacy Darouse. As the Lady Hornets top scoring option over the last two seasons, Shields helped Albany to the 2023 Division II Non-select Title game and earned the fourth overall seed in the 2024 Division II Non-select Tournament.
"Ava is a winner," said McNelis. "She has competed for multiple state championships in Louisiana and has an unrivaled, never stop working attitude."
Her last two seasons as a Lady Hornet saw her teams earn back-to-back district titles with a combined overall record of 56-11. As a senior, she averaged 15.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Her efforts earned her LSWA Class 3A Second Team honors.
Full Lady Eagles Signing Class as of April 26, 2024
Name Hometown Previous School
Micah Cooper Carrollton, Texas Hebron HS
Je'Mya Evans Gulfport, Miss. Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Whitney Hart Baton Rouge, La. Liberty Magnet School
Trinity Rowe Pikeville, Ky. Pikeville HS
Ava Shields Hammond, La. Albany HS
"We are excited to have Je'Mya Evans and Ava Shields join our Lady Eagle family," said head coach Joye Lee-McNelis. "Both of these young ladies have high characters and are on a mission to live their dreams."
Je'Mya Evans
Junior | Forward | 6'0" | TR
Gulfport, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Harrison Central HS
Je'Mya Evans, a two-year letterwinner at Mississippi Gulf Coast (Perkinston, Miss.), is the class of the NJCAA. Evans earned a spot on the All-NJCAA Region 23 Team after averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Her efforts helped the Bulldogs win their first region title since 1977 with a 23-5 overall record and 13-1 performance in MACCC play.
"Je'Mya brings the toughness that we need from a power forward," said McNelis. "She is an overcomer that has always found the positives in every challenge that she has faced. Her skill set is different and expected to bring another dimension to our team."
In two seasons at Gulf Coast, Evans made 38 starts across 51 games, including starting all 28 games of the 2023-24 season. She finished 191-of-422 (45.3 percent) from the floor and scored 458 total points. She grabbed 278 rebounds, blocked 17 shots, dished out 23 assists and swiped 29 steals as a Bulldog.
Her breakout sophomore season not only netted Evans a spot on the All-NJCAA Region 23 team, but saw her shoot 47.9 percent from the floor for a total of 358 points, 182 rebounds, 20 assists, 22 steals and eight blocks on 28.3 minutes per game.
Prior to her two seasons for Perk, Evans lettered at Harrison Central High School (Lyman, Miss.) for coach Nancy Ladner. She averaged 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game to lead the Red Rebels to the MHSAA Class 6A Final Four in Jackson. Her heroics saw her earn her second Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Team nod of her career after debuting on the team as a junior.
Ava Shields
Freshman | Guard | 5'11" | HS
Hammond, La. | Albany HS
Ava Shields signs with the Lady Eagles after a successful prep career at Albany High School (Albany, La.) for coach Stacy Darouse. As the Lady Hornets top scoring option over the last two seasons, Shields helped Albany to the 2023 Division II Non-select Title game and earned the fourth overall seed in the 2024 Division II Non-select Tournament.
"Ava is a winner," said McNelis. "She has competed for multiple state championships in Louisiana and has an unrivaled, never stop working attitude."
Her last two seasons as a Lady Hornet saw her teams earn back-to-back district titles with a combined overall record of 56-11. As a senior, she averaged 15.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Her efforts earned her LSWA Class 3A Second Team honors.
Full Lady Eagles Signing Class as of April 26, 2024
Name Hometown Previous School
Micah Cooper Carrollton, Texas Hebron HS
Je'Mya Evans Gulfport, Miss. Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
Whitney Hart Baton Rouge, La. Liberty Magnet School
Trinity Rowe Pikeville, Ky. Pikeville HS
Ava Shields Hammond, La. Albany HS
– #McNelisStrong | #SMTTT –
Game Highlights - Southern Miss vs. Blue Mountain Christian
Tuesday, November 11
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Nov. 10 vs. Blue Mountain Christian
Tuesday, November 11
Game Highlights - Southern Miss vs. William Carey
Friday, November 07
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Nov. 3 vs. NIU
Tuesday, November 04