Flagler Women's Basketball Signs Four

ST. AUGUSTINE − Flagler College head women’s basketball coach Erika Lang-Montgomery announced the addition of four student-athletes to round her recruiting class this afternoon.

The new arrivals are: Taye’Lor Trotter (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood HS), Amber Stewart (Lake Butler, Fla./Union County HS), Latesha Johnson (St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood HS), and Treva Mason (Orlando, Fla./West Orange HS).  

“This class will give our team some much needed depth on the perimeter and in the post,” said Lang-Montgomery.  “They all have had great high school coaches and I am excited about each of them and the positives they will add.  They are strong students and each will be a great addition to our program.  I am looking forward to working with them in the fall.”

Trotter and Johnson were teammates at Lakewood High in St. Petersburg. Trotter, a 5-foot-6 guard, was a year behind Johnson at Lakewood and graduated this past spring. She helped lead the Lady Spartans to the Class 4A state title this past spring. Trotter averaged 18.0 points per game and scored a team-high 23 points in the state semifinal win over Leesburg High. She was ranked No. 123 in ESPN’s 2011 HoopGurlz Basketball Prospects and was an honorable mention BHSN All-Bay Area Team selection. Trotter was also named to the All-Pinellas County Team.  

“Taye’Lor is an athletic, scoring combo guard who has the ability to get to the basket or hit the outside jumper,” said Lang-Montgomery. “She comes from a strong basketball program that is coming off a State Championship season.  She is a strong and tough competitor who has a scorer’s mentality.”

Johnson, a 5-foot-7 guard, graduated from Lakewood in 2010 and spent last year at the University of Florida, but did not play basketball. She was the salutatorian for Lakewood High’s Class of 2010. In her career, Johnson averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game. She was named second-team All-Pinellas Country in 2010, was a two-time all-conference selection earning first-team honors as a senior. Johnson was recruited out of high school by Flagler along with Barry University, the University of Texas and the University of Tampa.

“Tesh will give us depth at the point guard position,” said Lang-Montgomery.  “She is a natural floor leader and was a teammate of Taye’Lor’s at Lakewood.  She is not only smart on the court, but in the classroom as well.  She was the salutatorian of her high school class and continues to excel in her studies.  Her strongest contribution will be her ability to create for her teammates on the offensive end.” 

Stewart, a 5-foot-7 guard, averaged 23.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a senior at Union County High. She was selected to the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches’ Class 3A All-State Team last year. As a sophomore, Stewart earned All-First Coast and All-Area second team honors after averaging 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals per game.

“Amber is an excellent shooter and play maker,” said Lang-Montgomery.  “She gives us another option at the off guard spot.  She is very coachable and loves the game.”

Mason, a 5-foot-10 center, averaged 12.3 points and 13.6 rebounds per game at Orlando’s West Orange High. She earned second-team All-Orange County and honorable mention BHSN All-Central Florida honors last year. 

“Treva is the lone post player in this class,” said Lang-Montgomery.  “She is an aggressive rebounder and a good finisher around the basket.  She brings a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm into our program and she has a great work ethic.”

Flagler will open the 2011-12 season at home against Ave Maria University Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. at Flagler Gym. The Saints are coming off a 6-20 season, including a 3-15 mark in the Peach Belt Conference. Flagler returns three starters and eight letter winners from last year’s team.