MONTICELLO, Ark. — After an impressive 2007-08 season, Chris Ratcliff, head women’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, has announced the signing of three players to join his squad for 2008-09.
 
Taylor Clark (6-0, F, Searcy, Ark.) has signed national letter of intent to play at UAM after an all-state selection in 2007-08 playing for Searcy High School. In this past season, Clark averaged close to a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds per game.
 
Nominated for the McDonalds All-America team in 2007-08, Clark was also selected to the all-conference team as well as her junior season in 2006-07.
 
“I am very excited Taylor has chose to continue her career at UAM,” said Ratcliff. “Taylor is going to be a fan favorite because she plays the game the way it is supposed to be played, which is 100 percent every time down the court…She is going to add some more toughness and scoring ability inside, which is always needed at this level…She had several Division I offers, but she believed in what we are doing here at UAM both on the court and in the classroom.
 
Jerica Hubbard (5-10, F, Ashdown, Ark.) will join the Blossoms in 2008-09 after a three-time all-state prep career playing for the Lady Panthers of Ashdown High School.
 
Also on her list of achievements is a three-time selection to the all-conference team, a two-time selection to the all-regional tournament team and a two-time selection to the Texarkana Gazette All-Area Team.
 
In her senior season, Hubbard averaged 18.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals, and three steals per game.
 
“Jerica is one of those players that make coaches happy,” said Ratcliff. “She is good at everything…She can score inside and out, she can pressure the ball handler and she can rebound…she is not real tall, but she knows how to use her body.”
 
Bethaney Turner (5-7, PG, Mountain View, Ark.) will join the Blossoms in 2008-09 as a transfer from in-state Gulf South Conference opponent Ouachita Baptist to add a true point guard to the Blossom roster.
 
In her freshman season at OBU, Turner played and started in 14 games, finishing the season with an average of 10 points, three rebounds, and four assists per game.
 
In Turner’s prep career at Mountain View High School, she was a four-time selection to both the all-state and all-conference teams. Her career high is an amazing 43 points in a single game as a Lady Yellow Jacket.
 
“It took two years of searching, but I finally found a true point guard,” said Ratcliff. “Bethaney is a coach’s dream because she knows how to get players the ball at the right time to get that easy basket. Players that can do that make coaches look like they have the best offense in the country.”
 
“On the first day of signing, I addressed a couple of needs,” said Ratcliff. “I needed some help for Erika (Brown) inside…I wanted to add toughness and rebounding…I think I accomplished my goal with Jerica and Taylor. I also needed a point guard. Bethaney is someone who will add instant experience and leadership at that position.”
 
Ratcliff went on to comment that he will likely sign five more players in the next three weeks, and added that he thought signing these three players was a great way to start this season’s recruiting class.