ABILENE – Four prep standouts have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at Abilene Christian and play basketball, Head Coach Shawna Lavender announced last week. The signing class includes Mackenzie Lankford, a 5-7 guard from Weatherford, Hillari Adam, a 5-11 wing from San Angelo, Renata Marquez, a 5-9 wing from Conroe, and Savannah Smith, a 5-7 guard from Dallas.
Under the direction of Jeremy Williams at Wall High School, Adam has been named Pre-Season All-State selection by Texas Basketball Magazine. Selected as team captain last season she was named to the Standard Times All-West Texas Team along with being a three-time All-District selection. Last season as a junior Adam helped guide her team to 33-4 finish en route to a regional final appearance. Adam also was a Texas State Champion in Cross Country in 2007 along with two runner-up finishes. She also plays softball as a center fielder and participates in track and field.
As a junior Renata Marquez, helped lead the Willis Lady Kats to a 30-6 record. She was also named TABC and TGCA All-State Selection. Marquez was voted All-County Offensive MVP for Montgomery County of the greater Houston area. Marquez and the Lady Kats also finished 14-0 in district play earning District 18-4A MVP honors as she averaged 14.4 points per game for Coach Savoy leading Willis High to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Also signing with the Wildcats was Savannah Smith a three-time All-State selection from Dallas Covenant. After helping the Lady Knights reach the Texas High School Final Four as a sophomore they fell to eventual state champion Sherman Texoma in the Regional Quarterfinals. Smith averaged 22 points per game as a captain for Dallas Covenant as she has also been a three time All-District selection. Smith also played her AAU ball with team Nike where she played with ESPN.COM No. 4 recruit Chelsea Grey who signed with Duke. As a member of the Dallas Covenant track and field team Smith has also won individual state titles in the high jump, long jump, and a member of the 4x200 meter relay team. She has also been voted an All-State athlete in volleyball for the Lady Knights.
From Weatherford High School Mackenzie Lankford will join the Wildcats in 2010-11. As a junior she averaged 21 points per game while being named District 3-5A Offensive Player of the Year. A member of the TABC All-Region team Lankford was also voted to the Fort Worth Star Telegram Super Team. Also for the Kangaroos Lankford participated in volleyball and softball where they reached the Regional Semifinals. Lankford also was a district champion in track and field in the 400 meters where she is a sprinter at Weatherford High.
