Nov. 8, 2006
Atlanta – The Georgia Tech women’s basketball program added four exceptional athletes to their roster Wednesday ending a very successful recruiting season. Alex Montgomery, a six-foot-one forward from Tacoma, Wash. joins New Jersey’s Iasia Hemingway, Atlanta’s own Shaday Woolcock and Deja Foster from Memphis, Tenn. as Tech’s eighth ranked 2007 recruiting class.
Montgomery ranks as the nation’s No. 5 wing forward and is the No. 15 high school senior over all according to HoopGurlz. Considered one of the country’s most explosive open-court players, Montgomery is heralded for her tenacity under the boards, shot-blocking ability and quickness. She spent the summer perfecting her long-range jumper and has evolved into a consistent three-point threat. The Pacific Northwest standout has length, a huge wingspan and the ability to finish shots with both hands. This five-star recruit’s accolades include: Top Ten All-American All-Star, member of the Y.E.S. Baden Elite Club team, Washington All-State Second Team, HoopGurlz Elite Eleven for the state of Washington, and Street & Smith’s All-America Honorable Mention.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Alex Montgomery into our program. She is definitely and impact player and a difference maker. Not only is she a great athlete, she can play multiple positions, she can play one through four,” says head coach MaChelle Joseph.
Iasia Hemingway, another HoopGurlz Top 20 and five-star prospect, is a five-foot-eleven wing from Shabazz High School in Newark, N.J. with similar open court speed and quickness. Dubbed as “mini Barkley” and ranked 12th at her position by HoopGurlz, Hemingway is sought after for her athleticism, creativity on the court and sheer strength. At the Nike Nationals tournament this summer, Hemingway led in scoring with 20.3 PPG and rebounds with 37 total boards and was named First Team All-Tournament. Her other accolades include: AP All-State First Team, New York City Slam Jam MVP, New Jersey State Tournament MVP, The Star-Ledger Player of the Year, EA Sports All-America Second Team and Street & Smith All-America Honorable Mention. She led her high school team to a perfect record and the 2006 State Championship. Hemingway and fellow recruit Montgomery met and played together at the adidas Top Ten All-American Camp over the summer and were excited about the opportunity to play together in college.
“Alex and Iasia are not your typical freshman. They’ve played at a high level against the best competition in the country and been highly successful doing it. They will bring great recognition to Georgia Tech Women’s Basketball,” adds Joseph. “Every program in the country recruited both Montgomery and Hemmingway. They’re two of the best wings in the country, hands down.”
Joining Hemingway and Montgomery in this impressive class is Shaday Woolcock; a home-grown talent who played ball in Georgia Tech’s back yard. Woolcock, a five-foot-nine, left-handed guard from Avondale High School in Atlanta, earned Street & Smith All America Honorable Mention, was an adidas Top Ten All-America and was named MVP of the Showtime National Tournament. She helped lead her team to the AAA State Championship in 2006 and was named First Team All-State.
“It’s exciting for us to keep that Atlanta connection by bringing in “DayDay” Woolcock. She’s one of the best players in this city and one of the top five players in this state. She committed to us as a sophomore and we are thrilled to have a home-town talent right here at Georgia Tech,” boasts Joseph. “She is the ideal student athlete we want at Tech. Aside from her talents and achievements on the court, she is a dedicated student and is at the top of her class.”
Deja Foster rounds out this class of freshman, bringing added quickness and agility to the already speedy Jacket lineup. Foster is a versatile athlete who can play positions one through four.
“We are extremely excited about Deja’s speed and her tremendous athletic abilities. She is explosive and can hit shots with her back to the basket,” says Joseph.
A product of Memphis, Tenn., this six-foot shooting guard ranks tenth nationally at her position and All-Star Girls Report has dubbed her as the No. 52 player over all. She received Street & Smith’s All-America Honorable Mention. Her explosiveness and athleticism make her a threat in the open court as well as from the perimeter. She will graduate from Wooddale High School in the spring.
Joseph credits the tenacity and dedication of her coaching staff for bringing this exceptional class of athletes to Georgia Tech. Sytia Messer, in her third year as recruiting coordinator, has been instrumental in Tech’s recent recruiting success and has brought some of the nation’s best talent to play on the Flats; talent that Joseph says will help propel her team to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“This is an exciting day for Georgia Tech women’s basketball,” says Joseph of her prize recruits. “The fact that we’re signing two Top 20 players, four top 100 players is an amazing accomplishment for this program. This class will put us over the hump and give us the opportunity not only to challenge every team in the ACC, but every team in the country.”
