The University of Mississippi Athletics
McFarland Ready For Challenges of College Hoops
9/16/2010 | Women's Basketball
Sept. 16, 2010
OXFORD, Miss. - Freshman point guard Valencia McFarland earned numerous accolades during her successful prep career at Raymond High School in Edwards, Miss., and she is excited to begin her first year of college basketball.
"I'm looking to play and contribute to my team in any way possible," McFarland said. "I chose Ole Miss to be able to play in the SEC. I loved the coached and the players and it's close to home because I want my mom to be able to see my play."
McFarland, who hails from Edwards, Miss., earned back-to-back Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a junior and senior. She ended her prep career ranked as the 38th best overall player in the nation by ESPNU HoopGurlz while also being ranked as the 14th best point guard in the country by the same publication. Blue Star Basketball also named McFarland as one of the top players in the country, ranking her as the No. 29 player in the country.
"Being named Gatorade Player of the Year meant a lot to me and I'm glad to have received it two years in a row," she said. "I feel like I'm progressing from high school and adjusting to playing in college. I'm getting there. It's a lot of hard work and time consuming but whatever I can do to help the team."
Fourth-year head coach Renee Ladner is excited to have a player like McFarland on her roster. Ladner said McFarland has a great understanding of the game and is a true team player.
"Valencia is the epitome of the true point guard and she makes everyone around her better," Ladner said. "Valencia is a winner as was evident in winning back-to-back state high school championships. She is only 5'4", but she is big in heart and talent. Her accolades are numerous as she earned Mississippi's top individual honor, Miss Basketball, and Gatorade player of the year in consecutive seasons. I expect Valencia McFarland to pick up where she left off in high school-leading Ole Miss to victories and championships. Our Ole Miss fans will thoroughly enjoy watching a player of `Lil V's' caliber."
McFarland said she is most looking forward to games at Florida, Tennessee and LSU because she wants to see what the game-day atmosphere is like.
Fan's first chance to see McFarland and the rest of the 2010-11 Ole Miss women's basketball team play will be on Thursday, November 4 when the team hosts the University of West Georgia in an exhibition game with game time TBA.
