By Myra Bean

Recently, Sabrina Townsend of Batesville signed to play the last two years of her college eligibility at Mississippi College in Clinton. Townsend was a starter for the Northwest team last year in 16 of 19 games she played.

She said she liked Mississippi College since she played in the 2007 All-Star game as a junior. Townsend, an occupational therapy major, also chose MC since it was close to Jackson and occupational therapy school.

Northwest was the MACJC north division champions this past season with a record of 14-8 overall, 10-2 conference. In 2009, the Lady Rangers ended the season in third place in the conference with an 18-8 overall and 8-4 conference record.

Townsend was third in scoring with a total of 184 points this past season. She shot 36.4 percent from field goal range, averaging 9.7 points per game. She was a 32.5 percent three-pointer shooter and a 55.8 percent free throw shooter.

On defense Townsend also ranked third on the team behind Hope Adams and De’Kisha Fondon. This past season she had 40 assists and 18 steals. She averaged 2.3 rebound per game.

Townsend said workouts and practices will be harder than at Northwest.

“I will also work on my game to be a better basketball player,” Townsend said.

She graduated from Northwest with a 3.6 GPA on May 21.

She is a 2008 graduate of South Panola High School. Townsend played for the South Panola basketball team and led it to the district championship in 2008. The team advanced to the second round of the state tournament where they lost to state champions Murrah.

She is the daughter of Patrina and Terry Townsend and granddaughter of Willie B. Townsend, all of Batesville. Her famous uncle, Deshea, was a cornerback with the Pittsburgh Steelers until he became a free agent this past March.