CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College head women's basketball coach Greg Long announced additions for the 2023-24 signing class. The Choctaw signed Brylee Cherry, Nia Coleman, Emma Gates and Lillie Gates to National Letters of Intent.
 
"There are three things I really look for when recruiting. Do they want to be a part of a Christian environment? Do they want a quality education? Do they want to win a championship? These four young women check every box. They all come from programs with a winning tradition and they know the work it takes to be successful. Like all freshmen, there will be a learning curve but they are all high character people that will be able to endure the process. We are excited they decided to be a part of the MC family."
 

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Nia Coleman (5'8 | Guard | San Ramon, Calif. / Monte Vista HS)
Coleman helped Monte Vista High School to a 21-10 record last season. She averaged 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.9 steals for the Mustangs during her junior season. She is a two-time All-East Bay Athletic League selection.   
 
Long on Nia Coleman
"We got an absolute steal with Nia. She will be an immediate impact on the court. Her size and skill with the ball are college ready. Everything about her fits what we are doing here at Mississippi College."

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 Lillie Gates (6'0 | Forward | Brookhaven, Miss. / Brookhaven Aca.)
Gates is a three-time all-district performer and two-time member of the All-MAIS Preseason Team. She was named to the AAAA South State All-Tournament Team. She earned offensive and defensive player of the year twice respectively. She reached the 1,000-point plateau on Feb. 3, 2022.
 
Long on Lillie Gates
"Lillie is someone we have watched since we arrived here in Mississippi. She has continued to grow as a player and will only get better. She is an MC legacy that will definitely leave her mark."

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Emma Gates (6'0 | Forward | Brookhaven, Miss. / Brookhaven Aca.)
She earned second team all-district during the 2021-22 season and was all-district honorable mention the season prior. She received the best teammate award during the sophomore campaign.
 
Long on Emma Gates
"Emma really came on this summer and I have enjoyed watching her grow. She brings a skill set that continues to get better but more importantly a toughness that we need.  She checks all the boxes for MC as an institution and program."

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Brylee Cherry (5'11 | Guard/Forward | Olive Branch, Miss. / Northpoint Christian School)
She is a three-time all-district performer and earned all-metro and all-region accolades. She received Commercial Appeal and Daily Memphian Player of the Week laurels.
 
Long on Brylee Cherry
"Brylee is a tough nosed high-energy player that can play multiple spots.  She is going to present a lot of mismatch problems for opponents and she's going to give us everything she has every day.  From the first day we met, I knew we needed Brylee."