Meighan Simmons has described Tennessee as her dream school.
So maybe it shouldn't be too surprising that a dream played a part in the 5-foot-9 guard from Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas, committing to Tennessee. She announced her choice Saturday night, picking the Lady Vols over LSU.
Simmons narrowed her choice to the two SEC schools earlier this month and told the San Antonio Express-News, "It's always been like a dream of mine to go to Tennessee."
Still, she weighed her options for nearly two weeks and said, "I had to know this was the place I needed to be."
Simmons recounted two dreams she had last Thursday night as being factors in her final choice.
"In one it was LSU and Tennessee and they were pulling at me,'' she said. "I went back to sleep and I was in a huddle and a coach was drawing up a play. And it was Coach Summitt. She was drawing up a play for me to hit a game-winning shot."
The reality of Simmons' situation is that she still needs to take the ACT test and achieve a sufficient score. Simmons said that she will take the test shortly.
The two signing opportunities for players are in November or April. Simmons indicated that she might sign in November.
The Lady Vols began recruiting Simmons in earnest this summer after a scholarship became available when guard Cait McMahan opted to stop playing because of persistent knee problems.
Simmons averaged 25 points per game last season for Steele and hit a game-winning 3-pointer against Corpus Christi Ray to send Steele to the Class 4A state semifinals for the second consecutive year. She also averaged 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3 assists a game.
"This is our fourth year as a varsity program and she's a big reason why we've been to the Final Four the past two seasons," Steele coach Kari Wallace said. "She's a special player."
Along with Simmons, guard Lauren Avant of Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis is committed to sign with the Lady Vols.
"Right now I feel at peace with myself,'' Simmons said. "(The recruiting process) is not overwhelming but it can grab ahold of you."
Dan Fleser covers Lady Vols basketball. He can be reached at 865-342-6288.
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Comments » 29
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
Congratulations on your decision!! You will never regret playing for the best coach, and at the best University in America!
bluetick writes:
Sweet. Don't know who she is but I am positive she is good. Welcome to Rocky Top!
10cvalleyvol writes:
Welcome to the Vol family.
golfballs03 writes:
go vols
newtonrail writes:
I'm glad we've got her, but I believe that's a secondary NCAA violation, good old KNS helped us commit with that picture.
transplantiam writes:
Way to go, Coach! Hopefully we can get back to where we belong, on the Top! Welcome to the Lady Vols young lady!
GO VOLS!!!
CTOWNICON writes:
The best choice she ever made! Welcome Home!
jakethevolguy writes:
The KNS can say and print what they want about a prospect. It's the coaches that have to keep mum.
ladivolfan writes:
but she still has to score high enough on the ACT before she can come to UT. It's not all about sports. That's why Bobbitt was playing in junior college the first two years. She was good enough to play Division 1, but didn't have the ACT scores.
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
way to pee in the Cheerios, let her have her moment
richvol writes:
From the photo she looks like she could be quick.I certainly hope so as we need speed and endurance. Sounds like a good shooter as well.
utvolz#637682 writes:
Welcome to Rocky Top Meighan!
LittleJohnny writes:
The problem that newton was pointing out is that it appears you have a media person (the person taking the picture) around when Summit is meeting with a prospect.
promise writes:
sound like she has smarts., she chose to be a Lady VOL!! What about the sliding scale. She can take the test as many times as she wants. What is the truth, does anybody know. Freedom of speech with out facts.
bjb0120#391182 writes:
That photo wasn't taken by the KNS, but by local resources in San Antonio, her hometown.
johnlg00 writes:
What you said about special players leading their teams to championships applies just as well to men's basketball as it does to women's. It can be argued--and I often HAVE argued--that basketball these days generally is not played with the same proficiency in fundamentals that great teams displayed in the past. That is one reason why special players have such a disproportionate impact; the average players just have too many holes in their basic games, male and female.
allvol9 writes:
Welcome to Big Orange Country....you will love playing for a legend. And we are proud to have you!
Pompey writes:
Few players have the opportunity to play for a Hall of Fame coach.....she is truly lucky!
Millisa writes:
Welcome Meighan!!! Go Lady Vols!!!
newtonrail writes:
I hope we are in the clear, but my short term memory is still pretty good. Remember about 6 months ago ESPN filming in Kiffins offices when recruits came in? It was video and sound, although no names were mentioned and no recruiting pitch made. We got a secondary violation, and were told by the NCAA it was "Our--read Member Institution's" responsibility to keep recruits and media separate.
murrayvol writes:
Volunteers from Tennessee helped Texas out a little bit back in 1836. Glad you'll be helping us out for the next 4 years.
Welcome!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Welcome aboard, young Lady.
I've had a few of those Walter Mitty experiences myself.
uconnfan1 writes:
she'll regret it.
CTOWNICON writes:
Jealous much!
CTOWNICON writes:
Mike acts like a woman scorned! That is why he has so much negative talk about the girl that left Uconn's program. He can't take it so he low rates her. If Geno did not want her, then why did he recruit her? Anyway, the lady vols is whats happening this year!
ps11824 writes:
richvol writes:
From the photo she looks like she could be quick.I certainly hope so as we need speed and endurance. Sounds like a good shooter as well.
She had better learn to look Coach in the eye. That's harder than one might think.
uconnfan1 writes:
she'll also regret that when the season starts.delaware will get their butts kicked by everyone.
uconnfan1 writes:
name one other player at delaware.yeah!i know you can't.
LadyHusky writes:
Yes she is smart. She knew right away she didn't have what it takes to be a UConn Husky. That just proves how special UConn ladies are. Totally agree with you. She did the team a favor.
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