Dec. 11, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason head women's basketball coach Debbie Taneyhill will welcome five newcomers to Fairfax next season, as they have signed their official letters of intent to play for the Patriots in the 2008-09 season. The five signees are guards Becky Cox (Hanover, Md./McDonogh) and Deidre Richardson (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park), forwards Amber Epps (Manassas, Va./Forest Park) and Rachel Robinson (Chesterfield, Va./Monacan), and center Jazman Ramsey (Odenton, Md./Arundel/Louisburg College).

"I'm really pleased with the class. Our current freshman class is strong, and the 2008-09 class is just as strong or even better," said Taneyhill. "We have four players who play for outstanding high school teams and very good AAU programs. They are smart on and off the court, very athletic, and each bring a strong work ethic and a great winning mentality to our program."

Below is a description of each of the five student-athletes.

Becky Cox
Guard, 5'8"
Hanover, Md./McDonogh School

During her junior season, in which she averaged 14 points, four assists and three steals per game, Cox was a first team All-Metro selection by the Baltimore Sun, first team All-IAAM A conference, and first team All-Baltimore County selection. She helped lead the Eagles to a 21-5 record and a No. 2 final ranking from the Sun.

Deidre Richardson
Guard, 5'9"
Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park HS

Richardson is one of two signees from Forest Park High School, where she helped lead the Bruins to two state final appearances and the AAA title in 2006. Richardson, a strong scorer, averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game in her junior season, one which culminated with first team All-Cardinal District and All-Northwestern Region honors.

Amber Epps
Forward, 5'10"
Manassas, Va./Forest Park HS

Epps, who along with Richardson played for current Mason assistant coach Chrissy Kelly at Forest Park, is an excellent defender who averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game in her junior year. According to Kelly, she brings a "a defensive presence and understanding that a lot of high school kids do not come in with, and a work ethic that will help her out in the offensive game."

"Deidre and Amber bring the experience of winning, having been to two state championships and winning one," said Kelly, who led the Bruins to the state finals in 2005 and 2006, as well as a semi-final finish in 2007. "Coming from a winning program, I think they have a winning mentality."

Rachel Robinson
Forward, 6'1"
Chesterfield, Va./Monacan HS

Robinson is a four-year starter at Monacan, where she is coming off a junior season that resulted in first team All-Dominion District and second team All-Central Region recognition. The Chiefs' leading rebounder and second-highest scorer in 2006-07, Robinson averaged 12 points and seven rebounds per game and was named to the Richmond Times Dispatch's All-Tournament Team.

Jazman Ramsey
Forward/Center, 6'5"
Odenton, Md./Arundel HS/Louisburg College

Ramsey will join the Patriots in 2008 with two years of eligibility remaining after a successful career at Louisburg Junior College. A former teammate of current Patriots junior Brittney Wilkins, Ramsey helped lead the Hurricanes to a 24-4 record and NJCAA Region X championship in 2007. As a prep standout at Arundel High School, Jazman was on the All-Anne Arundel County team and was named to the Maryland All-Star team. She was also ranked in the Top 10 of all post players in Maryland.