MOBILE, Ala. ? University of South Alabama women’s basketball head coach Rick Pietri announced Monday that Vontrice Dennis (pronounced Von-treece) has signed her national letter of intent to play for the Lady Jags in 2008. 

“We’re really excited about the addition of Vontrice to our already gifted signing class,” Pietri said about the signing of Dennis.  “She is an incredibly versatile player with great strength, size and speed.  Vontrice is a perfect fit as a post player in our system.  She really complements the other three players that we have already signed extremely well.”

Dennis, a 6-0 post player out of Miami Norland High School in Miami, Fla., becomes the fourth member to join this year’s early signee class, joining Lauren Walker (Cabot, Ark.), Tashley Gaines (West Memphis, Ark.) and Cylenthia “Ce Ce” Kennon (Chalkville, Ala.).

The past two seasons, Dennis has helped lead MNHS to back-to-back Class 6A runner up finishes in the FHSAA State Playoffs.  As a junior, she recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game and as a sophomore, she posted 23 points and 12 rebounds.  Last season, the Vikings were ranked No. 1 in 6A all year and over the past two seasons MNHS has recorded a combined record of 56-7 under head coach Carla Curry.  Curry is assisted by former Lady Jag and 1,000 point club member Dina Jones at Miami Norland. 

Dennis, a four-year starter for Miami Norland, averaged 18.3 points per game as a junior, while also pulling down 12 rebounds per contest.  In 2007, she was also a FHSAA First Team All-State selection after being chosen to the Second Team a year earlier. 

Earlier this month, Dennis was selected as the Miami Herald Class 6A-5A Player of the Year.  So far this season, Dennis has led Miami Norland to a perfect 2-0 mark and in her two games of action, she is averaging 17.5 ppg and 15 rpg.

Dennis chose USA after considering offers from Cincinnati, Georgetown and Louisville.