April 19, 2002

2002-03 Otahkian Basketball Roster
First Five Signees of Spring Signing Period

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri women's basketball coach B.J. Smith has announced the signing of Yashika Sidbury to a national letter of intent for the 2002-03 basketball season. Sidbury is the sixth player to sign with the Otahkians in the Spring signing period.

Sidbury, a 5'11 guard, averaged 10.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals for coach Michael Landers at Trinity Valley (Texas) Community College last season. Her team was an impressive 32-3, Region 14 Champions and finished seventh place at the NJCAA National Tournament. Sidbury earned All-Conference honors for her performance this year.

As a freshman, Sidbury averaged 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest for a team that finished 28-4 and were regional finalists.

Trinity Valley is a very successful junior college program, having won national championships in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999 and currently has four former players playing in the WNBA.

"Yashika is a big athlete that can really shoot the ball," Coach Smith said. "She is another kid that has been successful in her career and really knows what it takes to win. I think she fits in perfectly with our philosophy."

Sidbury, who is originally from Washington, D.C., joins Sarah Costello, Louise McGoldrick, Brandi Russia, Miah Lee Shelford and Carina Souza as the other signees for next season for Southeast Missouri and first-year head coach B.J. Smith.

Coach Smith expects two more signings before the end of the national signing period.