Ferrell to represent WC in All-Star game

The National Junior College Athletic Association-Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (NJCAA-WBCA) has announced the first annual NJCAA Women’s All-Star Games, and Weatherford College’s Erika Ferrell has been invited to participate.

The top freshman talent in two-year college women’s basketball, including 15 All-Americans from three divisions, will meet for two days in Lubbock, Texas to showcase their abilities to four-year coaches and to the community. Two games are scheduled for Friday, July 7 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 8 at 1 p.m. at the Rip Griffin Center on the campus of Lubbock Christian University.

Ferrell, a 6-foot forward, led the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC) in scoring last season, averaging 20.6 points per game. She ranked third in rebounds with 9.7 per game. The NTJCAC’s coaches selected her as the Player of the Year and the Freshman of the Year for 2005-06.

“We believe that this will be a great showcase for our NJCAA players, enabling four-year universities, as well as the general public, to see community college women's basketball at its finest,” said Lyndon Hardin, NJCAA-WBCA president.

The rosters are divided into two teams of 10 players from all divisions in the NJCAA. The Red Team will be led by the head coaching duo of Seth Goodman of Monroe College (Bronx, N.Y.) and Steve Garber of Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Ill.). Goodman led Monroe to an undefeated season and the Division III national title and Garber led Illinois Central to a 30-5 record and the Division II title.

The Blue Team’s coaches will be Louis Wharton of the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (Fort Smith, Ark.) and Michelle Wyatt of South Plains College (Levelland, Texas). Wharton led Fort Smith to a 24-9 record and a seventh-place finish at nationals. Wyatt led South Plains to the championship game of the Region V tournament where they lost to eventual national runner-up Odessa College. Ferrell will play for the Blue Team.

Admission is $3 for one day or $5 for two days. For hotels and area attractions visit www.visitlubbock.org