The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Announces Early Signees
6/21/1999 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 11, 1998
OXFORD, Miss. - Shayla Day of New Madrid, Mo., Kayla Madewell of Farmington, Ark., and Leah Henley of Warren, Ark., have signed national letters of intent to join the Ole Miss women's basketball program head coach Ron Aldy announced Wednesday.
"All three of our signees are good people," Aldy said. "They are what we are looking for to be and to represent the Lady Rebel basketball program. That's the most important quality that each one possesses."
Day, a 6-3 center, hails from New Madrid County Central High School where she plays for Coach Joby Holland. Day averaged 20.3 points per game and 13 rebounds per game as a junior. In three years, Day has led her team to a 60-21 record, including a trip to the Missouri Final Four. Day is an excellent student-athlete, boasting a 4.0 grade point average. She chose Ole Miss over Missouri, Arkansas State and Memphis.
"We are pleased and excited that Shayla's going to be part of our family," Aldy said. "She is a very good person that will fit into our program nicely. Shayla is a player that has a tremendous amount of potential as a post player. She's the kind of player that can come in and contribute right away. We are expecting great things from her on and off the court."
Madewell, a 6-1 forward, preps under Brad Blew at Farmington High School. She was selected to the All-State second team and was named the Northwest Arkansas Times Player-of-the-Year as a junior. Madewell led her team to the Class AAA state finals and a 32-4 record last year, while averaging 19 points and nine rebounds per game. A preseason Basketball News Service honorable mention All-American, Madewell was recruited by more than 65 schools.
"Kayla has size, strength, and the ability to shoot the three, which is an unusual combination," Aldy said. "She will help fill our needs in size and rebounding. With continued work on her part, she can come in and play right away."
Henley, a 5-9 guard/forward is coached by Charlie Bateman at Warren High School. She averaged 19 points a game as a junior. Henley was recruited by Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock and Northwestern State Louisiana.
"Leah is a perimeter player with good range," Aldy said. "She is strong physically, has a good head for the game, and is a solid defender. Her versatility is going to enable her to contribute quickly."
The Lady Rebels host the Mississippi All-Stars in their final exhibition Thursday at 7:00 p.m., before opening the regular season Nov. 16 against Clemson at 5:00 p.m. at Tad Smith Coliseum.
