Simmons picks Lady Vols: Dream leads guard to dream school

Photo by HELEN L. MONTOYA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Tennessee coaches Dean Lockwood and Pat Summit talk with Steele guard Meighan Simmons after practice on Tuesday Sept. 23, 2009. Simmons is considered one of the top basketball players in the country and has narrowed her college choices to five teams. Two of the coaches from the five schools -- Summitt and Van Chancellor of LSU -- visited Steele on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2009.

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.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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