New Lady Mustang
Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:42 pmJT'S GILLIAM SIGNS WITH SMU
By: HAROLD WILSON, Staff Writer November 10, 2004
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SIGNING DAY: Brittany Gilliam (center) signs a letter of intent to play basketball for SMU Wednesday. (Staff Photo By Harold Wilson)
Faced with a number of schools bidding for her talents, Brittany Gilliam settled for a ride to Ponyland.
The John Tyler guard ended months of suspense Wednesday morning, signing a letter of intent to play basketball for Southern Methodist University in the John Tyler teacher's lounge, alongside family and teammates.
Gilliam picked SMU over a Big 12 school, Missouri, and another close to home - North Texas. SMU's long-time interest in her and its academic reputation attracted Gilliam.
"They've been there right with me, riding me," said Gilliam, who played at SMU's home gym, Moody Coliseum, along with her JT teammates in a preseason tournament. "I just feel something special about SMU. When I went to visit, I liked it. And, it's not a bad school academic-wise. Once I get out of college - with an SMU degree - I should have a lot to work with because I graduated from there."
Right up until Tuesday - one day before the NCAAs fall signing period commenced Wednesday - Gilliam's decision remained a mystery. Gilliam visited SMU in August and Columbia, Mo., just last month. In between those two, Gilliam sandwiched in a trip to Denton to check out North Texas.
In the end, the private university with an enrollment of 10,000 in Dallas garnered her services. SMU, picked to finish fourth in the preseason Western Athletic Conference poll, finished 13-15 overall and 9-9 in league play last season. Next season, SMU will join Conference USA, which includes the likes of Cincinnati, DePaul, Houston, Louisville and Texas Christian University.
"She made a good decision to go to SMU," said JT girls coach Kenneth Bickham. "She played AAU ball and her family dedicated the time. And that's what (happens) when kids pay the price and people invest in their children - then you get a good program."
Deciding early allows Gilliam to concentrate on her senior season at John Tyler, which kicked off Tuesday for the Lady Lions - coming off a 34-1 season in which it spent time ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 20 nationally.
"It gets some of the pressure off of me," said Gilliam, who scored 23 points in JT's season opener against Winnsboro. "And I wanted to just focus on John Tyler."
Over the summer, Gilliam's stock soared as she helped Team Texas Express capture the Amateur Athletic Union 17-under national championship. Gilliam earned AAU All-American honors for her play, following up a junior season at JT in which she hauled in first-team all-district and All-East Texas accolades.
"That was very big," said Gilliam, ranked No. 11 overall in JT's senior class. "You have to get yourself out there to be exposed and when we won 17 and under nationals, that really exposed us."
One of Gilliam's Texas Express teammates, Katy Cobb of Rio Vista, inked with SMU last year, giving her another reason to choose to become a Mustang.
"We're like a combo," said Gilliam, who combined with Cobb to score 47 points in the AAU national championship game in Florida. "To get to play with her at SMU will be even better."
In her first two years on varsity, Gilliam played an integral role in helping JT win 63 games and two district titles. Last season, Gilliam averaged better than 13 pints, six rebounds, three assists and three steals per game while scoring 20 points or more on seven occasions.
Now, as JT's lone returning starter, Gilliam faces a different hurdle in trying to keep the Lady Lions among the state's elite girls programs.
"All the ones that's been playing are gone. I'm the only person who's been on varsity for three years," Gilliam said. "I want to see us excel. Just because we lost four seniors (doesn't mean) we're (not) capable of doing the same things."
Lady Lion's Tales: Former Lady Lions playing basketball collegiately include 2002 alums Collea Carter (Henderson State (Ark.)) and Melanie Lane (University of Texas at Arlington); 2003 graduate Sheree Smiling (Jarvis Christian) and 2004 products A'Quonesia Franklin (Texas A&M), LaVonda Harris (Huston-Tillotson) and Tammi Mitchell (Paris).
Harold Wilson covers sports. He can be reached at 903.596.6293. e-mail: [email protected]
©Tyler Morning Telegraph 2004
Email to a friend
By: HAROLD WILSON, Staff Writer November 10, 2004
Email to a friend Voice your opinion
SIGNING DAY: Brittany Gilliam (center) signs a letter of intent to play basketball for SMU Wednesday. (Staff Photo By Harold Wilson)
Faced with a number of schools bidding for her talents, Brittany Gilliam settled for a ride to Ponyland.
The John Tyler guard ended months of suspense Wednesday morning, signing a letter of intent to play basketball for Southern Methodist University in the John Tyler teacher's lounge, alongside family and teammates.
Gilliam picked SMU over a Big 12 school, Missouri, and another close to home - North Texas. SMU's long-time interest in her and its academic reputation attracted Gilliam.
"They've been there right with me, riding me," said Gilliam, who played at SMU's home gym, Moody Coliseum, along with her JT teammates in a preseason tournament. "I just feel something special about SMU. When I went to visit, I liked it. And, it's not a bad school academic-wise. Once I get out of college - with an SMU degree - I should have a lot to work with because I graduated from there."
Right up until Tuesday - one day before the NCAAs fall signing period commenced Wednesday - Gilliam's decision remained a mystery. Gilliam visited SMU in August and Columbia, Mo., just last month. In between those two, Gilliam sandwiched in a trip to Denton to check out North Texas.
In the end, the private university with an enrollment of 10,000 in Dallas garnered her services. SMU, picked to finish fourth in the preseason Western Athletic Conference poll, finished 13-15 overall and 9-9 in league play last season. Next season, SMU will join Conference USA, which includes the likes of Cincinnati, DePaul, Houston, Louisville and Texas Christian University.
"She made a good decision to go to SMU," said JT girls coach Kenneth Bickham. "She played AAU ball and her family dedicated the time. And that's what (happens) when kids pay the price and people invest in their children - then you get a good program."
Deciding early allows Gilliam to concentrate on her senior season at John Tyler, which kicked off Tuesday for the Lady Lions - coming off a 34-1 season in which it spent time ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 20 nationally.
"It gets some of the pressure off of me," said Gilliam, who scored 23 points in JT's season opener against Winnsboro. "And I wanted to just focus on John Tyler."
Over the summer, Gilliam's stock soared as she helped Team Texas Express capture the Amateur Athletic Union 17-under national championship. Gilliam earned AAU All-American honors for her play, following up a junior season at JT in which she hauled in first-team all-district and All-East Texas accolades.
"That was very big," said Gilliam, ranked No. 11 overall in JT's senior class. "You have to get yourself out there to be exposed and when we won 17 and under nationals, that really exposed us."
One of Gilliam's Texas Express teammates, Katy Cobb of Rio Vista, inked with SMU last year, giving her another reason to choose to become a Mustang.
"We're like a combo," said Gilliam, who combined with Cobb to score 47 points in the AAU national championship game in Florida. "To get to play with her at SMU will be even better."
In her first two years on varsity, Gilliam played an integral role in helping JT win 63 games and two district titles. Last season, Gilliam averaged better than 13 pints, six rebounds, three assists and three steals per game while scoring 20 points or more on seven occasions.
Now, as JT's lone returning starter, Gilliam faces a different hurdle in trying to keep the Lady Lions among the state's elite girls programs.
"All the ones that's been playing are gone. I'm the only person who's been on varsity for three years," Gilliam said. "I want to see us excel. Just because we lost four seniors (doesn't mean) we're (not) capable of doing the same things."
Lady Lion's Tales: Former Lady Lions playing basketball collegiately include 2002 alums Collea Carter (Henderson State (Ark.)) and Melanie Lane (University of Texas at Arlington); 2003 graduate Sheree Smiling (Jarvis Christian) and 2004 products A'Quonesia Franklin (Texas A&M), LaVonda Harris (Huston-Tillotson) and Tammi Mitchell (Paris).
Harold Wilson covers sports. He can be reached at 903.596.6293. e-mail: [email protected]
©Tyler Morning Telegraph 2004
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