Last Thursday, Thompson High School point guard Christina Shelton sat inside Peoples Bank and Trust Arena on the University of Montevallo campus for graduation, knowing this was just the beginning of achievements to come on that court.

&8220;It just kind of made me smile that I knew I was going to be in this gym for another four years,&8221; said Shelton, who is one of five players

to

sign or commit to join coach Roy Dixon at UM in the fall.

Shelton, who helped lead Thompson to its best season in recent history while shooting 39 percent from the 3-point arc, says she chose Montevallo over Belmont University and Birmingham-Southern College, because of the Lady Falcons&8217; up-and-down style of play.

&8220;They like the run-and-gun kind of game, and that&8217;s what we ran in high school. We just get up and down the floor and go, go, go to try to outrun people,&8221; Shelton said.

Dixon likes what Shelton can add to his team.

&8220;Christina is a team player that goes hard every play and plays with a lot of passion and intensit,&8221; Dixon said. &8220;Christina has a knack for getting the ball where it needs to go while being a threat from the outside if left alone.&8221;

While sitting through graduation, Shelton began to set a hope for her college career, as she looked at the banners hanging from the rafters.

&8220;I saw that there’s a lot for the mens’ team but there’s not any for the women, so I hope I can come and help,&8221; she said. &8220;I hope that as big as the recruiting class is for &8216;07 we can change that while I’m there.&8221;

Shelton is joined by freshman guards Kandace Christopher of Atalla, Kristen Seigenthaler, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., junior guard Jamie Graham of Twin Groves, Ark. and freshman forward Carrie Parrot of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Christopher, a 5-foot-10-inch guard from Etowah County High School, eclipsed the 1,000 point mark and led Etowah all-time with more than 800 assists, including an average of 10 points and 9.4 assists per game this season &045; numbers that make her a front runner for playing time as UM&8217;s point guard.

“Kandace has the ability to be a very dominant point guard in our league with her ability to push the ball up the floor, pass, with her being able to look over the defense and score when called on to do so,&8221; Dixon said.

Seigenthaler, a teammate of Parrot&8217;s at Siegel High, brings with her a 47 shooting percentage from 3-point range, while Parrot averages 13.5 points per game in the.

Graham, a Second Team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American, led Seminole State Community College with 9.6 points.