Nov. 8, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State women's basketball head coach B.J. Smith has announced the signing of Tore Fite and Lauren Sharpe to National Letters of Intent to compete for the Redhawks for the 2007-08 season as part of the NCAA's Early Signing Period.

Fite, a native from Massillon, Ohio, is entering her senior season at Perry High School, where she averaged 16 points and six assists per game in 2005-06 under head coach Mark Randulic. She also earned All-State honorable mention accolades, while capturing First Team All-District and All-Area honors last season. She participated in the Ohio Top 64 Camp and was named to the All-Stark County First Team.

"Tori is one of the most athletic players that I've seen at the point guard position and she could be an impact player as a freshman, said Smith. "Her play is similar to a lot of other players that we've ever had in this program."

Hailing from Tipp City, Ohio, Sharpe averaged 16 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists last season for Tippecanoe High School. She is coached by Todd Varvel. Sharpe led the state of Ohio with 207 steals and ranks sixth all-time in state history for career steals. She is a three-time All-Dayton selection and was an honorable mention All-State pick.

"I'm really exciting about Lauren coming to play for Southeast because she fits with what we're looking for in a big guard/forward combination," Smith added. "It was a big coup for us to sign her away from several big schools and (Assistant) Coach (John) Ishee deserves credit for recruiting her."