Photo by: Parker Waters
Women’s Basketball Head Coach Lisa Stockton Inks Four to 2017 Class
Nov 9, 2016 | Women's Basketball
Anderson, Cheatham, Freeman and Lofton join Green Wave family
NEW ORLEANS – Just three days away from beginning a new season, Tulane women's basketball secured the program's future by signing four student-athletes for its Class of 2017. Head Coach Lisa Stockton welcomed in Kaila Anderson (Baton Rouge, La.), Sierra Cheatham (Houston, Texas), Krystal Freeman (Pineville, La.) and Tatyana Lofton (Madison, Miss.), all to the Green Wave family.
"We are excited about this strong 2017 class," Stockton stated. "Each of these signees has played on very successful programs and are national level prospects. We have added some scoring ability to our squad and strengthened our backcourt."
Anderson is a 5-5 point guard from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, where she has guided the Cubs to Class 3A state titles in both 2014 and 2015, and reached the semifinals in 2016. Anderson is a two-time All-State honoree, won Most Outstanding Player in her first state championship appearance and is ranked as the No. 23 point guard in her 2017 class by ESPN. Furthermore, Anderson averaged 11.9 points and 9.1 assists per game last season as a junior.
"Kaila is a dynamic point guard who is a great combination of a playmaker and scorer," Stockton explained. "She is an outstanding floor leader and will be a great fit for our system."
A 6-0 guard hailing from Houston, Cheatham attends Clear Springs High School, thus following in the footsteps of senior guard Courtnie Latham. Cheatham led the Chargers to three playoff appearances and a combined 89-18 record. Cheatham jumped from 5.5 ppg to 14.4 ppg from her freshman to sophomore season, being named an All-Region honoree in the process. Last year, Cheatham was named Offensive MVP and an All-State selection, averaging 12.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg.
"Sierra is a long athletic guard with deep three-point range," Stockton said. "She can defend multiple positions and runs the floor well."
Freeman, a 6-0 forward from Pineville, Louisiana, has lettered all three years in basketball at Pineville High School. Freeman has guided the Rebels to three consecutive playoff appearances, averaging 16.7 points and 8.5 rebounds as a junior. Freeman was named All-State Honorable Mention the past two seasons, and was 2016 Louisiana State AAU champions with the Louisiana Lady Selecte team.
"Krystal is a versatile power forward with great skill," Stockton added. "She has a nice shooting touch and can score inside and out."
A 5-9 guard from Madison, Mississippi, Tatyana Lofton will add a veteran presence to next year's squad as a junior transfer out of Jones County Junior College. There, Lofton helped the Bobcats qualify for the Region 23 tournament by averaging 16 ppg. Lofton was then recognized with First-Team MACJC All-State and All-Region 23 status, and was selected to participate in the NJCAA All-Star Weekend.
Earlier, Lofton attended Madison Ridgeland Academy where she led her squad to a 40-4 record and MAIS State Championship in her senior year. Lofton was also named MAIS All-Star game MVP in 2014-15 and was a First-Team All-State honoree as well.
"Tatyana brings great college game experience and has proven to be a big time scorer in a very competitive league," Stockton stated. "In many ways, Tat reminds me a lot of former Tulane standout Olivia Grayson."
With the future now set, Stockton's attention returns to the present and the Green Wave's season opener this Saturday against Grambling State inside Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and all tickets are just $5.
"We are excited about this strong 2017 class," Stockton stated. "Each of these signees has played on very successful programs and are national level prospects. We have added some scoring ability to our squad and strengthened our backcourt."
Anderson is a 5-5 point guard from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, where she has guided the Cubs to Class 3A state titles in both 2014 and 2015, and reached the semifinals in 2016. Anderson is a two-time All-State honoree, won Most Outstanding Player in her first state championship appearance and is ranked as the No. 23 point guard in her 2017 class by ESPN. Furthermore, Anderson averaged 11.9 points and 9.1 assists per game last season as a junior.
"Kaila is a dynamic point guard who is a great combination of a playmaker and scorer," Stockton explained. "She is an outstanding floor leader and will be a great fit for our system."
A 6-0 guard hailing from Houston, Cheatham attends Clear Springs High School, thus following in the footsteps of senior guard Courtnie Latham. Cheatham led the Chargers to three playoff appearances and a combined 89-18 record. Cheatham jumped from 5.5 ppg to 14.4 ppg from her freshman to sophomore season, being named an All-Region honoree in the process. Last year, Cheatham was named Offensive MVP and an All-State selection, averaging 12.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg.
"Sierra is a long athletic guard with deep three-point range," Stockton said. "She can defend multiple positions and runs the floor well."
Freeman, a 6-0 forward from Pineville, Louisiana, has lettered all three years in basketball at Pineville High School. Freeman has guided the Rebels to three consecutive playoff appearances, averaging 16.7 points and 8.5 rebounds as a junior. Freeman was named All-State Honorable Mention the past two seasons, and was 2016 Louisiana State AAU champions with the Louisiana Lady Selecte team.
"Krystal is a versatile power forward with great skill," Stockton added. "She has a nice shooting touch and can score inside and out."
A 5-9 guard from Madison, Mississippi, Tatyana Lofton will add a veteran presence to next year's squad as a junior transfer out of Jones County Junior College. There, Lofton helped the Bobcats qualify for the Region 23 tournament by averaging 16 ppg. Lofton was then recognized with First-Team MACJC All-State and All-Region 23 status, and was selected to participate in the NJCAA All-Star Weekend.
Earlier, Lofton attended Madison Ridgeland Academy where she led her squad to a 40-4 record and MAIS State Championship in her senior year. Lofton was also named MAIS All-Star game MVP in 2014-15 and was a First-Team All-State honoree as well.
"Tatyana brings great college game experience and has proven to be a big time scorer in a very competitive league," Stockton stated. "In many ways, Tat reminds me a lot of former Tulane standout Olivia Grayson."
With the future now set, Stockton's attention returns to the present and the Green Wave's season opener this Saturday against Grambling State inside Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and all tickets are just $5.
Players Mentioned
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