DENTON- The North Texas women's basketball team has announced the signing of two players in the early signing period. The Lady Eagles added Mia Ajekwu, a 6-3 forward from The Woodlands High School and post player Kelsie Edwards, a 6-0 post from Summitt High School in Mansfield.

Mia Ajekwu -  "We are very excited to have Kelsie on board. She is a tremendous young lady who will contribute to our program immediately. Kelsie is a solid post player who has the ability to score inside and out. She also has the ability to score on the block and is very deceiving despite her size. Kelsie has been a part of one of the most successful high schools in the country and will bring an attitude of positive winning every time she steps on the court," said head coach Tina Slinker.

Edwards was a member of Mansfield High School's state title team that defeated San Antonio Taft, the school that produced current Lady Eagle guard Natalie Mireles. Last season Edwards led the team in rebounding by averaging 6.9 rebounds per game. She also shot 54 percent from the field and 74 percent from the free throw line.

Ajekwu was a 15-5A all-district performer last season as she averaged nine points and seven rebounds per game leading her team to the playoffs. As a freshman she averaged 16 points and 12 points per game.

"Mia is a physical, dominating post player who brings size to our inside game. She continues to get better on a daily basis and has the ability to become one of the best post players in the State. Mia runs the floor extremely well and will fit into our up tempo style of play. Mia's potential is unlimited and certainly will be counted on right away in the post area. Mia comes from one of the best coaches in the high school ranks and has great work ethic and discipline. She was exactly what we were looking for to sign for the future of our program," said Slinker.

North Texas begins their 2002-03 season on Friday, November 22, at home in the Super Pit against UTSA.

Recruit  Profiles

Mia Ajekwu, 6-3, Forward, The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands High School)

As a junior she was an all-district player averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game. Her freshman season she averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. "She is a great athlete that is very aggressive for a girl her size. She is a very unselfish player that is tremendous on the defensive side of the ball. She will be a very good fit with Coach Slinker and her style of coaching". said Kren Heintz, head coach at The Woodlands.

Kelsie Edwards, 6-0, Forward, Mansfield, Texas (Summitt High School)

Edwards has played on two consecutive state championship teams at Mansfield High School, which has been renamed Summitt High School. As a member of the varsity team has a record of 71-4 over two seasons. Her junior season she averaged 13.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds. She scored 530 points last season which is a Mansfield school district record since moving into Class 5A. "Last season she definitely did everything we thought she could do and more. She is a very versatile player and a very deceiving player that can cause problems," said Summitt head coach Samatha Morrow.