Women's hoops signs two players

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Insell announced the signing of Dana Garrett and Tina Stewart to national letters-of-intent on Wednesday, the Blue Raiders first two signees in the spring period.

Garrett hails from St. George, S.C., and has played the last two seasons at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn., helping the Lady Senators to a 30-6 record this season and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national tournament. 23-12 She averaged 12 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season and was named a Second Team NJCAA All-American. She garnered Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association (TJCCAA) Co-Player of the Year accolades as well as the TJCCAA Tournament MVP and was named to the TJCCAA/Region VII All-Tournament team.

The 5-foot-10 guard was also the TJCCAA Tournament MVP as a freshman after helping WSCC to a 23-12 record and a spot in the NJCAA national tournament. She earned All-Region VII honors as both a freshman and sophomore for coach Dave Kragel.

Garrett averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior for coach Stanley Newton at Woodland High School in Dorchester, S.C.

"We got someone who is an all-around athlete because she can defend, she can rebound, she can run the floor," Insell said. "We really looked at her determination and attitude toward winning. That's what really intrigued us about her, her mental toughness. She's the type of player you can take and put with what we've already got and take this program to the next level."

Stewart played for coach Niki Bray at Central High School in Memphis, Tenn., helping the Lady Warriors to a 23-8 overall mark this season and an 11-3 record in District 16. Central won the district tournament as well as a first round contest in Region 8 before falling to Memphis East, 71-69, in the region semifinals.

The 5-foot-7 guard was an All-Metro selection by the Commerical Appeal as a junior after averaging 15 points per game and helping CHS to a 26-8 record. The team won a first round Region 8 contest before falling in the semifinals to Memphis Northside, 53-46.

"We were very fortunate to be able to recruit Tina. Not a lot of people knew about her because she didn't play AAU," Insell said. "I really think she has nothing but upside and will just get better and better, a lot like a Chrissy Givens."

Garrett and Stewart join two other Middle Tennessee signees from the fall - Collinwood (TN) High School guard Abby Andrews and State Fair Community College (MO) forward Shytoria Davis.

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