Women's Basketball Signing Day
KLTV: https://www.kltv.com/2024/05/06/tjc-student-athlete-enlists-into-army/
Tyler Morning Telegraph-Phil Hicks: https://tylerpaper.com/sports/five-apache-ladies-announce-future-plans/article_45a09efc-0911-11ef-af8d-8bc42c22c742.html
Five TJC Apache Lady basketball players — three who are members of Phi Beta Kappa — announced their future plans during a signing ceremony on Thursday inside the Jimmy Butler Lobby of Wagstaff Gymnasium on the Tyler Junior College campus.
Four of the players said they will continue their basketball careers at the next level, while the fifth heard Uncle Sam calling and is enlisting into the United States Army to "Be All That You Can Be."
The Phi Beta Kappa members include: Amyia Bowie, Fanta Kone and Kiana Bennett.
Bowie, a 5-6 guard from Red Oak, signed with University of St. Thomas, which is located in Houston. She sports a 4.0 grade point average.
Kone, a 5-7 guard from the Republic of Mali in West Africa, is traveling south as well, heading to Huntsville and Sam Houston State University. She has a 3.77 GPA.
Bennett, a 5-8 guard from Shelbyville, is headed down to Austin as she inked with St. Edward's University. Her GPA is 3.6.
Also signing was Lillian Jackson, a 5-11 forward from Little Rock, Arkansas. She elected to commit to Grambling State Univeristy in Grambling, Louisiana.
With her parents both career U.S. Army veterans, Dacia, a 5-10 forward from Quitman, Mississippi, elected to serve her country in the military.
Despite multiple injuries and battling adversity, the five helped Tyler Junior College compile an 18-13 record during the 2023-24 season.
Apache Ladies Coach Trenia Tillis Hoard expects great things from her "babies."
"This is what TJC and our basketball program is all about," Tillis Hoard said. "We want to bring these kids to the next level. We are here to start their career, to start their journey and to grow their game.
"They are coming in as babies. They are coming in as inexperienced basketball players. It is fun watching them go through the challenges and the maturation process."
KIANA BENNETT
ST. EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY
Bennett was an All-Region XIV player, averaging 13.2 points per game and 3.5 steals.
"St. Edward's has a lot of opportunites," said Bennett, noting both athletically and academically. "I plan on being a physical therapist and they have programs that will prepare me for my future.
"I plan to major in kinesiology during my two years there. Hopefully, I will get into a PT school and then obtain my doctorate there."
The Hilltoppers compete in NCAA Division II and in the Lone Star Conference. Bennett added she will get to play in Tyler again since UT Tyler and St. Edward's are in the same conference.
"I am grateful to be a TJC alum," Bennett said.
St. Edward's is a private, Catholic university.
DACIA BOSTIC
UNITED STATES ARMY
"I made a decision that I felt the Army was the right place for me," said Bostic, who averaged 3.8 points per game. "I wanted to live a life I am proud of. With both my parents 40-plus-years of service in the Army, I felt this was for me."
She grew up around the world as her family was stationed across the U.S., including Florida, Hawaii and Washington. She also has lived in Germany.
Bostic reports in July for basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
"My time at TJC has been a blessing," Bostic said. "I've met some amazing life-long friends and had some of my best memories here in Tyler. I want to thank my coaches and teachers for being patient with me and helping me learn different things that I'm going to need to know about life."
AMYIA BOWIE
UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS
While continuing to play basketball, Bowie plans to major in cyber security.
St. Thomas is a private Catholic university. The Celts are an NCAA Division III school and compete in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
"My time here at TJC was adversity-filled but for the better," said Bowie, who battled through injuries to average 5.3 points per game and earned NJCAA All-Academic honors. "I'm grateful for the opportunities presented to me. I'm proud to be a part of the Apache Family."
LILLIAN JACKSON
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY
Jackson made All-Region XIV and all-conference, averaging 9.1 ppg, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
"I really enjoyed my time at TJC," Jackson said. "I learned so much and just soaked up so much information from Coach T. My two years here were overall just fun and made me love the game more."
As far as going to Grambling, Jackson said she connected with the coaching staff, players and students.
Jackson said she is undecided on her major.
Grambling State is a public historically black university. The Tigers compete in NCAA Division I and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
FANTA KONE
SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY
Kone loved her time at TJC and wanted a similar school and that's why she picked Sam Houston State.
"I am all the way from Mali and I am a little family girl," Kone said. "When I went on my visit to Sam Houston, it felt like a family.
"My time at TJC was an experience like no others and I wouldn't trade for anything. My TJC teammates and coaches turned into family."
As a freshman, Kone was All-Region XIV, but was beset by injuries her sophomore season. She still averaged 7.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists.
Kone said she will major in finance/banking.
Sam Houston State is a public research university and competes in NCAA Division I. The Bearkats are members of Conference USA.
