TCC announces 2012 women’s basketball signing class

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 12, 2012) – Tallahassee Community College women's basketball and head coach Teresa Atkinson has announced the signing of nine student-athletes to first-time National Letters of Intent with the Eagles. 

The Class of 2012 includes one local product – Rickards High School's Tyeshia Guinnie – and second-year player Raisa West, who earned a scholarship after making the squad in 2011-12 as a walk-on. 

Here is a closer look at Tallahassee's 2012 signing class: 

Aariel Allen, Gainesville, Fla. (P.Y. Yonge Development Research School) 

TCC coaching staff on Allen: "Aariel is first and foremost a winner. She competed on two state championship teams at P.K. Yonge - she knows how to win. On the floor, she has great hands and does an excellent job rebounding the basketball. We expect her to compete for playing time early." 

Karley Barnes, Milwaukee, Wis. (Vincent High School) 

TCC coaching staff on Barnes: "Karley is a tremendous athlete. She is one of those rare (female) players who can play at the rim. She has excellent leaping ability and is a high energy player. We were very fortune to land a player of her caliber." 

Jeraldine Campbell, Shuqualak, Miss. (Central Academy/East Mississippi Community College) 

TCC coaching staff on Campbell: "Jeraldine is a combo guard with exceptional offensive skills. She flat out knows how to score, and she'll bring that facet to our backcourt. With a year of NJCAA experience under her belt, she will know how to bring the work ethic needed to compete at this level." 

Sofia da Silva, Coimbra, Portugal (Quinta Do Marques) 

TCC coaching staff on da Silva: "Sofia is a post player with great international experience. She is a high energy player with tremendous defensive abilities. She rebounds the basketball at a high rate, and she's a very solid passer from the post position. We'll count on her early to provide production and depth to the front court." 

Addesha Collins, Anniston, Ala. (Saks High School) 

TCC coaching staff on Collins: "Addesha is a scoring point guard who scored over 2,000 points during her prep career. She will add depth to our backcourt." 

Morgan DeMilio, Loganville, Ga. (Walnut Grove High School) 

TCC coaching staff on DeMilio: "Morgan is a remarkable outside shooter with range to the 3-point arc. She will bring additional outside shooting to our team and also provide depth at the guard position." 

Tyeshia Guinnie, Tallahassee, Fla. (Rickards High School) 

TCC coaching staff on Guinnie: "Tyeshia is local product (from Rickards High School) that my staff and I have watched over the past two seasons. She has good size and athleticism that we hope will allow her to be a top defender in the Panhandle Conference. She has a solid work ethic and we're looking forward to coaching her this upcoming season." 

Aiyannah Peal, Willow Grove, Pa. (Abington High School) 

TCC coaching staff on Peal: "Aiyannah is a versatile basketball player and she'll be able to play multiple positions. She has a very strong athletic body and a very high basketball I.Q. She will compete for playing time right away and should be one of our leaders on and off the court going forward." 

Raisa West, Miramar, Fla. (Northwest Christian Academy) 

TCC coaching staff on West: "Raisa earned a scholarship after playing her freshman season as a walk-on. She is the consummate team player, and we'll count on her both on and off the court. She will provide depth and leadership, and she is an outstanding student." 

The group of new signees will be joined on the 2012-13 roster by sophomores Natasha Ballard, Yanique Gordon, Alexis Grant and Sarah Williams. 

Tallahassee opens the 2012-13 season by hosting the Tallahassee Democrat Tip-Off Classic November 2-3.