(Editor's note: DCC Athletics release)
GLENDIVE - Dawson Community College women's basketball coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. hasn't stopped his recruiting for the upcoming 2020 season and says he was fortunate to sign one of his biggest recruits this far. Five-foot, three-inch point guard Tamiya Francis from Toronto.
Francis joins a heavily recruited freshmen class that is already stacked with incoming talent.
"I'd like to thank God for allowing me to be in this position," she said. "I'd also like to thank my family for always supporting me and pushing me to follow my dreams. Special thanks to Coach Kipp for seeing potential in me and never giving up on me. Out of the many paths to follow, I truly believe this is the route for me to succeed. This means the world to me, being able to follow a dream I've had since I was young and turn it into a reality. With that being said, I'd like to announce my commitment to Dawson Community College in Montana. Go Bucs!"
Francis played for Handel Kipp of Vaughan Secondary Prep School in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association averaging 18 points, six rebounds, seven assists and eight steals. In 2017, she was an Insider Exposure All-Star, Best of the Prep All-Star, MVP of the Jane and Finch Classic, and an All-Star in the Become One Sky's the Limits Tournament. Her success continued in 2018 as MVP of the Vaughan Prep season, an All-Star of the Queens of the North and the NPH Showcase. In 2019, she was once again Vaughan's MVP, Queens of the North All-Star, and two-time All-Star in the Best of the Prep. Francis scored 35 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, had eight assists, and five steals, and drew three charges against the No. 1 prep school in Canada last season.
"At this point, a program can't get any luckier to receive such a high caliber player this late in the summer," Lagmay, Jr. said. "I have yet to see her play, but the evaluations of credible coaches that were on the summer recruiting trail, and that of Coach Kipp, I am convinced that Tamiya is going to give the Lady Bucs a wicked back court. The stats show what she is capable of doing."
"Dawson Community College is landing a player who is tough as nails and plays with a chip on her shoulder," said Kipp. "Tamiya is one of the hardest-working, coachable players I know. Coach Lagmay is getting a PG that's a 'floor general' that could shoot the 3-ball, find her teammates, and does whatever it takes to win. One of her main strengths is her pitbull defense, picking up 94 feet creating havoc on the ball, making it hard for guards to get comfortable. I wish Tamyia the best of luck in her new journey and for her to keep being an amazing person on and off the court."
