Nov. 17, 2006

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Winston Salem State University Athletic Department officials confirmed on Friday that Lady Rams' head women's basketball coach Dee Stokes has announced the signing of three prep athletes to NCAA National Letters of Intent on Friday afternoon.  Stokes, who is in her first year as the head of the Lady Rams' basketball program, continues to add talent to an already storied program as she readies the Lady Rams for the move to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) next season.

Stokes announced the signing of Ashlynn Massey, a 6'1" center from George Washington High School in Danville, VA; Jalesa Byrd, a 5'10" guard from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC; and Toya Mobley, a 5'11" forward from York Comprehensive High School in York, SC.  All three student-athletes have signed NCAA National Letters of Intent to play for the Lady Rams beginning with the 2007-08 season. 

All three student-athletes bring much-needed size to a Lady Rams team that currently only has one player over six feet tall.  "One of the things we wanted to address with this recruiting class was size.  We need size at every position especially the guard position," remarked head coach Dee Stokes. 

Massey is a tremendous rebounder who averaged 15.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game her junior year en route to First Team All-Western Valley District honors as she led her team to a 20-4 season. 

When asked why she chose WSSU over other schools, Massey said, "I fell in love with the coaches and the campus.  I think it is an opportunity to get a great education, play right away, and I thought it was the best fit for me." 

Mobley will play the small and power forward positions for the Lady Rams and she averaged 7.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game her junior season as she was selected as York Comprehensive High School's Comprehensive Academic Award recipient in both her sophomore and junior years.  Mobley, an honorable mention All-Herald Team member in 2005 remarked, "I chose WSSU because it's an all around great school.  It is one where I will succeed both athletically and academically.  I've known the coaches for a while now and felt as though we clicked.  They're not only great coaches, but great people as well.  I'm pumped and ready for the experience." 

Byrd, who turned in a quality season as a junior will flourish under a new coach at Myers Park this season.  She has untapped potential at the guard and small forward positions.  A Most Valuable Player and All-Conference selection as a junior, Byrd said, "It is a joy to be a part of the Lady Ram family.  The day my family and I visited WSSU, I knew I wanted to be a part of the program.  I would like to major in nursing and WSSU will provide me the best opportunity to do so.  My goals throughout the upcoming years at WSSU will change a thousand times, but my number one goal is to be the best student-athlete I can be.  I would like to thank Coach Stokes and Coach Lampman for all the time they have invested in me." 

When asked about the signing of Massey, Mobley and Byrd, Stokes said, "I am very excited about this first class.  They are all good students and will make immediate contributions to our program both athletically and academically.  We still have some work to do late in recruiting, but this is a great start for us in this rebuilding process."

For additional information on WSSU Lady Rams basketball, contact the WSSU Office of Sports Information at (336) 750-2143 or log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com.

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