SAN ANGELO - The Angelo State women's basketball team added two local recruits on National Signing day in Sawyer Lloyd and Sam Rocha, who both currently play at Wall High School. 

Lloyd has played on the Wall varsity team since her freshman year, when she was voted the district newcomer of the year and was a sixth man on the Lady Hawks' state championship team. Moving into the starting lineup as a sophomore, she was then named the district MVP in both her sophomore and junior seasons. She was an All-State selection by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches both seasons as well and was selected to play in the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Game in Arlington this past summer. 

"Sawyer is an extreme athlete with a relentless work ethic,"  Shippy said. "She is a floor general who is extremely efficient and will produce on both sides of the floor for us. Her competitiveness and will to be successful are something you just can't teach and will give her an edge at the collegiate level."
 

Rocha was also a starter in both her sophomore junior seasons for the Lady Hawks, earning All-Tournament selections twice in her junior season and gaining recognition as the district co-offensive Most Valuable Player. She was a TABC All-Region selection, averaging 13.3 points and almost six blocks per game. 

"Sam has a great frame at 6'1" and has great touch around the rim," Shippy said. "She can shoot the ball from the outside and is incredibly crafty in the post. She has a high basketball IQ and that, combined with her ability to lead, makes her a great asset to our program." 

 

The Wall Lady Hawks just recently began their 2018-19 season with both players in the starting lineup and are 2-0 so far this year after posting a 22-5 record last year under head coach Tate Lombard. 

"Both were  coached by Tate Lombard at Wall and we have the upmost respect for him," Angelo State head women's basketball coach Renae Shippy said. "We know they are being taught the right things and will come here and already have a great defensive mentality that we emphasize in our program as well. We could not be more ecstatic to add these two great basketball players. The fact that they are local is only an added bonus and should add a lot of excitement in our community and for Angelo State."

The Angelo State women's basketball team has won the Lone Star Conference in back-to-back seasons and made the NCAA Tournament three straight years. The Belles will begin their 2018 campaign this Saturday and Sunday, taking on Oklahoma Christian and West Alabama at the Texas Woman's tournament.