Lots of Girls Put Ink to Paper, Williams Going to UNC

Lots of local girls basketball players signing LOI today, including five at Maryland 4A power Eleanor Roosevelt: Olivia Applewhite(Dayton), Ahjah Hall (Duquesne), Elashier Hall (Syracuse) and Nikia Gibbs, (St. Francis, Pa.). Another Raider, Alexis Malloy, is bound for Air Force. River Hill's Ryann Dannelly signed with Richmond. C.H. Flowers center Nikia Gorham signed with North Carolina A&T.

And colleague Dave Yanovitz filed this report on Howard forward Nyree Williams signing with North Carolina:

Williams, who is about to begin her fourth year on varsity, averaged 17.8 points per game last season and went over the 1,000-point mark for her career. She also averaged 12.1 rebounds and 4.4 blocks. She scored 20-plus points seven times last season, and scored a career-high 36 against Reservoir.

Williams chose the Tar Heels over Georgetown, James Madison, and rival ACC schools Wake Forest and Florida State. Williams said she will play small forward or power forward for Carolina, and added the school's nursing program also attracted her.

"They play a fast-paced game, I definitely think I can fit into that," Williams said shortly after signing. "I worked on consistency in my jump shot this past summer in AAU." Williams played for Team Unique.

North Carolina Coach Sylvia Hatchell's 22 seasons at UNC also was a significant factor, Williams said. "She has a lot of consistency in her program."

North Carolina graduated two talented forwards, Erlana Larkins (13.5 ppg) and LaToya Pringle (14.6 ppg), both now playing in the WNBA. Williams will be joining another Washington-area player, Iman McFarland, who attended McNamara.