Rio Grande News
LaSabre Reynolds poses for a photo with her parents and Rio Grande head coach David Smalley after signing with the RedStorm
Tue, Jun. 26, 2012 - [Women's Basketball]
Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - University of Rio Grande women's basketball head coach David Smalley has announced the signing of LaSabre Reynolds, a 5-foot-5 combo guard from Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tenn., for the 2012-13 season.
Reynolds was averaging 4.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for the Burros last season before suffering an ACL injury which ended her prep career prematurely. Her teammates went on to finish the 2011-12 campaign with a 23-9 record.
"Signing with Rio was a dream come true," Reynolds said. "For someone who was drawn to this game at an early age, it is indeed a blessing to have the opportunity to continue playing the game that I love at a high level - for a great team and a great coach."
Reynolds, who was named as a team captain at Hillsboro last season, also is accomplished in the classroom and in the community. She was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete and Leadership awards at her school and was selected for the Metro Schools FANS Award, presented annually to a senior female scholar-athlete on the basis of scholarship, sportsmanship, leadership, individual performance and value to the team.
Reynolds also served as the lead organizer of the Phil Baker Memorial Garden and Rededication Services, is a youth leader for the Abundant Life Living Word Church Youth Department and is a member of the Metro Honors and Sophisticates Choirs.
"Not only do we want kids in our program who can play the game of basketball, we want kids who are good students and good people. LaSabre fits all of that criteria," Smalley said. "She's a young lady who has skills both offensively and defensively and she's certainly going to help provide us some depth at the guard position. We're happy to have her as part of our family."
Reynolds chose to sign with the RedStorm after also receiving interest from a handful of schools including Lindenwood University, Crown College, Spelman College and Philander Smith College
Reynolds was sold on URG after she and her parents made the 6-1/2-hour trek from Music City to southeastern Ohio for a campus visit last week.
"Rio Grande definitely fit my criteria and I had a great visit," she said. "My perception of Rio Grande was that of a wonderful school with great academics and athletics. The officials and faculty were very friendly, the environment….I could see myself really fitting in at Rio - it was a great fit. More importantly, coach Smalley and the team seemed like family."
Reynolds joins a talented backcourt corps that features returnees Shardae Morrison-Fountain, Noelani Woodson and Liz Badgett, as well as incoming freshmen Sarah Bonar, Nichole Mabry and Taylor Hale.
"LaSabre is a hard-nosed young lady. I think her desire to bounce back from the injury she suffered last year is a testament to that fact," said Smalley. "We're excited - and anxious - to get her back out on the floor and see exactly where she fits in."
Reynolds said she'll be happy with whatever that role might be.
"I feel that I can bring a competitive spirit, leadership and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve the team's goals above personal goals," she said. "I'm never satisfied as a player. My desire is to work hard every day to improve every aspect of my game, both on and off the court. My ultimate goal is become the best player I can be for my coach and my teammates and to compete for a championship."
Reynolds, who plans to major in Business Management-International Business, is the daughter of Fed and Teresa Reynolds of Nashville.
RIO GRANDE, Ohio - University of Rio Grande women's basketball head coach David Smalley has announced the signing of LaSabre Reynolds, a 5-foot-5 combo guard from Hillsboro High School in Nashville, Tenn., for the 2012-13 season.
Reynolds was averaging 4.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for the Burros last season before suffering an ACL injury which ended her prep career prematurely. Her teammates went on to finish the 2011-12 campaign with a 23-9 record.
"Signing with Rio was a dream come true," Reynolds said. "For someone who was drawn to this game at an early age, it is indeed a blessing to have the opportunity to continue playing the game that I love at a high level - for a great team and a great coach."
Reynolds, who was named as a team captain at Hillsboro last season, also is accomplished in the classroom and in the community. She was the recipient of the Scholar Athlete and Leadership awards at her school and was selected for the Metro Schools FANS Award, presented annually to a senior female scholar-athlete on the basis of scholarship, sportsmanship, leadership, individual performance and value to the team.
Reynolds also served as the lead organizer of the Phil Baker Memorial Garden and Rededication Services, is a youth leader for the Abundant Life Living Word Church Youth Department and is a member of the Metro Honors and Sophisticates Choirs.
"Not only do we want kids in our program who can play the game of basketball, we want kids who are good students and good people. LaSabre fits all of that criteria," Smalley said. "She's a young lady who has skills both offensively and defensively and she's certainly going to help provide us some depth at the guard position. We're happy to have her as part of our family."
Reynolds chose to sign with the RedStorm after also receiving interest from a handful of schools including Lindenwood University, Crown College, Spelman College and Philander Smith College
Reynolds was sold on URG after she and her parents made the 6-1/2-hour trek from Music City to southeastern Ohio for a campus visit last week.
"Rio Grande definitely fit my criteria and I had a great visit," she said. "My perception of Rio Grande was that of a wonderful school with great academics and athletics. The officials and faculty were very friendly, the environment….I could see myself really fitting in at Rio - it was a great fit. More importantly, coach Smalley and the team seemed like family."
Reynolds joins a talented backcourt corps that features returnees Shardae Morrison-Fountain, Noelani Woodson and Liz Badgett, as well as incoming freshmen Sarah Bonar, Nichole Mabry and Taylor Hale.
"LaSabre is a hard-nosed young lady. I think her desire to bounce back from the injury she suffered last year is a testament to that fact," said Smalley. "We're excited - and anxious - to get her back out on the floor and see exactly where she fits in."
Reynolds said she'll be happy with whatever that role might be.
"I feel that I can bring a competitive spirit, leadership and a willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve the team's goals above personal goals," she said. "I'm never satisfied as a player. My desire is to work hard every day to improve every aspect of my game, both on and off the court. My ultimate goal is become the best player I can be for my coach and my teammates and to compete for a championship."
Reynolds, who plans to major in Business Management-International Business, is the daughter of Fed and Teresa Reynolds of Nashville.
