Cape Girardeau, Mo. (November 14, 2002) -- Southeast women's basketball coach B.J. Smith has announced his third signing during the NCAA's early signing period as he has inked a high school center out of Fort Smith, Ark.

Almeli da Silva, a 6-3 center out of Fort Smith Northside High School is coach Smith's third signee of the early period. She will come in and step up right away next season playing the center position for the Otahks next year.

Silva played for coach Ricky Smith at Northside and was part of a top 20 national team this past season that won the Arkansas 5A State Championship. The team currently has won the last four State Championships in Arkansas.

Smith is really excited about getting the inside player he needed.

"She will be an impact player on this team and eventually in the league," Smith said. "She has great hands, quick feet, and tremendous scoring ability. She has a lot of potential and should step in and play for us right away."

Smith signed two players yesterday as he inked high schooler Jessica Aebi out of Enid, Okla. and junior college transfer Sami Jo Cotton, out of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.