Mays Signs Dallas Native, Houston Standout In First Class

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mays Signs Dallas Native, Houston Standout In First High School Class

DALLAS (SMU) – Ariana Whitfield and Morgan Smith became the first high school student-athletes to sign with first-year head coach Travis Mays to play women's basketball at SMU.

Whitfield, a 5-6 guard from Houston, is a four year letterwinner at Cypress Ranch High School who has played in 96 games over three seasons for the Mustangs. A team captain, Whitfield averaged 13.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game as a junior under head coach Tresa Hornsby.

Whitfield has helped her team to three consecutive UIL state championship tournament appearances, and was named second-team all-district after her junior season. She is also related to Shasta Smothers-Johnson, who scored 1,426 points at SMU from 1982-87, ranking seventh in program history, with 933 rebounds, third all-time at SMU.

"I'm so excited and happy for her to play at the next level," Hornsby said. "She's just a dream to coach. I'm so excited SMU has given her the opportunity to play at the next level. She works her tail off and she's so self-motivated. She has a contagious personality and I'm just so proud and happy for her."

Mays added about Whitfield, "Ariana is a combo guard who can play the one or the two. I absolutely love her work ethic, and she is a tremendous competitor. She has the mentality of a player looking to score the basketball, and she has the ability to create her own shot and is a scorer in multiple facets of the game. On top of that, Ariana is a great young lady and an outstanding teammate."

Smith, a 5-6 guard from Dallas, is a four year letterwinner at Highland Park High School. She averaged 13 points and six assists per game for the Lady Scots thus far in her career. Smith played club basketball with the Dallas Hurricanes for head coach, Maryann Wahhab. She was named to the all-conference team, as well as the Academic All-District team.

"I'm just so proud of her," Wahhab said. "I'm extremely excited she's in Dallas. SMU is getting a great teammate and friend. Mo thrives in teamwork and togetherness oriented environments, and SMU has a sense of family. She is determined to develop and will do whatever she can to improve. She is determined to break barriers. She is extremely motivated."

They are bringing in a player who is a completely well-rounded person. Mo is a great student who loves to serve. I'm super happy and thrilled for this opportunity for her."

Mays said about Smith, "Morgan is a local Dallas kid. She is a combo guard who can play the one or the two. She is the type of player who can stretch the defense with her ability to knock down three-point shots. She has an incredible work ethic and is a great teammate."

These two young ladies exemplify exactly what you want in a student-athlete when you are trying to build a program and change the culture. Our entire staff is extremely excited to add these two young ladies to our program."

The Mustangs begin the season Friday in Moody Coliseum against Texas State at 11:30 a.m.