University of Memphis Athletics
Nov 13, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 13, 2002
MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis women's basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis announced today the signing of Ashley Shields, Megan Gooch, Devin Necaise and Ashley Dixon to National Letters of Intent for the 2003-04 season.
"We are extremely excited about this recruiting class," said McNelis. "All four of these players fit many of our needs. In signing this class, we have added a point guard, a pure shooter, a do-it-all player and a post player."
Shields, a local standout from Melrose High School, is considered by the All Star Girls Report to be the fourth-ranked guard in the country as well as the 16th best prep player in the nation. As a junior at Melrose, Shields averaged 32.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 6.5 steals per game and led her squad to a 24-8 record. She was named the Best of the Prep's Player of the Year by the Commercial Appeal as well as all-district, all-state and all-region. Her best game of her career was when she dropped in 54 points against Whitehaven this past season.
A 5-9 guard, Shields played two years at Hamilton High before transferring to Melrose. In her two years at HHS, she led the Lady Wildcats to a 64-7 record as the leading scorer and rebounder. As a freshman, she averaged 22.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.5 steals en route to being named to the Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps Super Five girls basketball team as well as second-team all-state. She was also named one of USA Today's honorable mention prep girls basketball players.
"Obviously, Ashley is one of the best players that we have had the opportunity to sign in my 11 years here at Memphis," said McNelis. "She is a big-time scorer who will step up and make an impact for the Lady Tigers immediately.
"We are excited about having a player of her caliber join this program," added McNelis. "One of the key elements to having Ashley with the Lady Tigers is that she is from Memphis, and she will be the hometown hero. She has the potential to be the type of hometown hero that Larry Finch, Elliot Perry and Penny Hardaway were."
A 6-4 center from Georgetown, Texas, Megan Gooch averaged 10.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior. In two years at Georgetown High School, Gooch totals 522 career points and 444 career rebounds. Last season, she led GHS to 28 wins and was named first-team all-district and second-team all-region. She was also named to the all-tournament teams at the Kroger Lady Tiger Classic in Pickerington, Ohio, and the GHS Thanksgiving Tournament.
Gooch currently ranks fourth all-time at GHS in most rebounds in a game with 17 and is third all-time in career blocked shots with 103. Gooch is also a standout high jumper who placed seventh in the state of Texas last year.
"Megan will step in and definitely help us fill our needs at center," said McNelis. "At 6-4, she is the tallest player that we have signed here. She is a hard worker who runs the floor well and has great touch on the ball. We are really expecting her to step in and help us elevate the post game."
A 5-5 guard from Little Rock, Ark., Ashley Dixon was named all-district, all-state and all-region for Harding Academy after averaging 18.7 points, 3.0 steals and 3.7 assists per game. The Arkansas Gazette tabbed her as a third-team selection and she was named the Gazette's Female Academic Athlete of the Year. A stellar athlete on the track, Dixon was named all-state in track and cross country, and was the individual state cross country champion as a junior. She transferred to Pulaski Academy for her senior year.
"Ashley Dixon is the purest shooter we have ever signed," McNelis said. "She will make a huge difference when our opponents try to zone us because of her three-point range. Again, she is the type of player who works hard and will definitely make an immediate impact on this team."
A 5-8 guard from Kiln, Miss., Devin Necaise is considered one of the top 12 high school players in Mississippi. As a junior, Necaise helped Hancock High School to the state tournament with an average of 14.6 points per game, and was named an honorable mention selection on the Dandy Dozen team by the Jackson Clarion Ledger. In her three-year career at Hancock, Necaise totals 1,388 points. She also totaled 98 assists, 99 rebounds and 85 steals as a junior.
At the start of her senior year, Necaise is ranked as the top senior on the Mississippi coast and her team is currently ranked No. 1 in the preseason rankings by the Clarion Ledger. A three-year all-division honoree, Necaise helped HHS to a district championship, and a state semifinal berth last season.
"Devin is a young lady who has a tremendous amount of grit and plays with a great deal of heart," said McNelis. "She can play the point and the two-guard for us, and she is a born leader.
"Devin is arguably one of the best players in Mississippi, and she will bring grit, heart and leadership to the Lady Tigers," added McNelis. "She is the type of player who will work when the others rest."
"All in all, what we are most excited about is the fact that all four of these players will challenge immediately for playing time next year," said McNelis. "They all love the game of basketball, and they will all be out there working hard."
The Lady Tigers will open the 2002-03 season on Thursday with an exhibition game against Christian Brothers. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse.
Signees for Memphis Women's Basketball
Ashley Shields, 5-9, guard, Memphis, Tenn. (Melrose High School)
Megan Gooch, 6-4, center, Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown High School)
Ashley Dixon, 5-5, guard, Little Rock, Ark. (Pulaski Academy)
Devin Necaise, 5-8, guard, Kiln, Miss. (Hancock High School)
