DRC full article..NT women get TJC transfer

[OldTimer]

Sounds like she will be a welcome and valuable addition to our team.

Women's basketball: UNT women get transfer from Tyler Junior College

James a solid perimeter shooter

08:37 AM CDT on Thursday, April 13, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

North Texas coach Tina Slinker assumed winning the Sun Belt Conference West Division title would have its rewards.

Mamie James proved those suspicions were correct on Wednesday, when the guard from Tyler Junior College signed a national letter of intent to play for the Mean Green.

James was an All-Region XIV and all-conference selection last season after averaging 13.9 points and 5.0 rebounds a game for the Apache Ladies.

Louisiana Tech and South Alabama also recruited James, who played at Kenedy High School, southeast of San Antonio. She will have two years of eligibility remaining at UNT.

“I am really excited about her,” Slinker said. “She is experienced and has the ability to shoot the ball from 3-point range, which was one of our weak spots last year.

“She also has good leadership qualities and works hard.”

James ranked 12th in Region XIV in both scoring and 3-point shooting at 33 percent. She scored a team-high 27 points in an overtime win over Angelina College last season and was a four-time district MVP in high school.

James was also Kenedy High’s valedictorian.

At 5-10, James can play shooting guard or small forward and could help fill the void left after all three of the Mean Green’s backcourt players graduated following last season.

UNT will rely on several younger guards next year, including sophomores Sanetra Jackson and Tricia Lee.

DiDi Wali, who started just three games last season, will be the lone senior on the Mean Green’s roster.

“Mamie is one of the top junior college guards in the region and fits our system because we need someone with experience,” Slinker said. “She can help DiDi fill a leadership role.”

The addition of James could also help the Mean Green maintain the depth in their backcourt that was critical to their success last season. Senior guards Erika Bobo and Mian Williams averaged 10.5 points and 9.1 points a game, respectively.

Senior guard Natalie Mireles, Wali and Jackson also scored in double figures at least once.

Slinker said she expects James to give the Mean Green an immediate offensive boost and help improve UNT’s shooting from 3-point range. The Mean Green shot just 28 percent from beyond the arc last season.

The offensive help James is expected to provide could be critical next season for UNT.

The Mean Green lost their top three scorers from last season when UNT went 19-9 and lost to Arkansas State in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Tourna-ment.

Bobo and Mia Ajekwu were named second- and third-team All-Sun Belt Conference after leading the Mean Green to a Sun Belt division title.

Ajekwu averaged 10.5 points a game.

UNT signed Mimi Goodman, a 6-2 post from Batesville, Ark.; Brittney James, a 5-7 guard from Orange and Torrian Timms, a 6-0 post from Waxahachie during the early signing period to form the base of its recruiting class for next season.

UNT still has two scholarships remaining and could give out both in the next few weeks when the Mean Green will look to continue building on a season that was highlighted by winning the SBC West.

“Having a good year absolutely helped us with Mamie,” Slinker said. “Junior college players want to come in and contribute to a good team.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com