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Home > SECWB News & More! > 2007-08 News > Freshman Class (2007-08 Season) > Mississippi State's Freshman Class
Mississippi State's Freshman Class
by LeAnne Harrington, SECWB.com
Posted: November 7th, 2007 @ 2:59am
Mississippi State will have four new faces on the court this season, with Coach Sharon Fanning signing 3 freshmen and 1 junior college player to her 2007-2008 Lady Bulldog team. After finishing 18-14 last year while going 7-7 in SEC play, and making it to the third round of the WNIT, Fanning is looking to build on last season’s success as she enters her 13th year at MSU. Here’s a look at the four newcomers.
Donnisha Tate is a 6’2” forward from Oakland, CA who was a 2 year starter at Tyler Texas Junior College, where she averaged 10.9 rebounds a game her freshman year. As a sophomore, she averaged 10.3 boards a game, while leading the team in scoring with 9.3 ppg. Tate was named Honorable Mention All-Region as a freshman, and was first team All-Conference and All-Region her sophomore season. Tate played prep ball at Vallejo High School, where she was a three-time All-State selection, three-year varsity starter, and led her team in scoring (17.5 ppg) and rebounding (15.3) her senior season. This gifted athlete also lettered in track and field, where she advanced to the state meet in four events: 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays, 100-meter dash and high jump. Given her speed, jumping ability, and juco experience, Tate may make an immediate impact for the Lady Bulldogs.
Mary Katherine Govero is a 6’2” forward from Clinton, MS who prepped at St. Salus Christian Academy, where she finished her high school career as Mississippi’s all-time leading scorer in girl’s basketball. Govero led her team to the Mississippi Private School Association State title her senior year, was MPSA Player of the Year along with being a first-team All-State selection, and was a McDonald’s All-America nominee. This well-rounded scholar-athlete was also valedictorian of her senior class, student government president, a member of the National Honor Society and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Govero plans to major in teaching and coaching.
Coach Fanning says, ”Mary Katherine brings a scoring mentality. She has the ability to score from the perimeter. She is going to be hard to guard.”
Danielle Rector is a 6’1” forward from Chattanooga, TN who prepped at Tennessee Temple Academy, where she finished with more than 3,800 career points. Rector was named to the District 5A All-Tournament and All-District squads all four years of high school, and was named District 5A Player of the Year for three seasons. Rector was also named to the All-Region 3A team and was Region 3A Player of the Year for three seasons. In addition, Rector was a three-time selection to the All-State team by the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association, was a 2006 Tennessee Miss Basketball finalist, and was named the 2007 All-City Player of the Year by the Chattanooga Times-Free Press. Rector, who also lettered in volleyball 3 years and softball 2 years, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as student body secretary.
Shai Wilkins is a 6’2” guard from Harvest, AL who played at Sparkman High School, where she led her team to the 2007 Alabama Class 6A State championship while garnering first-team All-State honors. Wilkins was also named to the All-Metro, All-Area, and All-Region teams her junior and senior years, and was selected by the Huntsville Times as Metro Player of the Year her senior season. Wilkins competed with the Alabama Nike traveling team, where she was named to the AAU State Tournament’s All-Tourney team. In addition to her basketball accolades, Wilkins received the Presidential Award for Honor, twice received the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, received the Senatorial Award, and was a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society. Coach Fanning had this to say about Wilkins: “Shai can match up athletically and physically. She is a player that does not mind contact.” Even though she is listed as a guard, Fanning stated that she can play in the post and score there, and that is an area where they are looking for her to be productive.
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