Two More Sign With AU Women's Basketball

May 9, 2006

WASHINGTON - Stephanie N'Garsanet (Adibjan, Ivory Coast/Barton County CC) and Maggie Smith-Davidson (Ontario, Ore./New Mexico Junior College), a pair of junior college players have signed to transfer with American, head coach Melissa McFerrin announced on Tuesday.

N'Garsanet is a 6-2 post player who helped lead Barton County Community College (Kansas) to a 28-6 overall record and a final ranking of 19 in the NJCAA national poll. The Adibjan, Ivory Coast native led the Cougars in free throw attempts and blocks (44). N'Garsanet started 18 games last season, but played in 34 games, averaging 8.2 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per contest. As a senior at Voltaire High School, N'Garsanet averaged 13 ppg, 10 rpg while shooting 52 percent from the field.

Stephanie N'Garsanet

"Stephanie is an athletic post player who can defend, rebound and block shots," said McFerrin. "She will fit into our transition game as well because of her ability to run the floor. We feel like she brings a whole new dimension to our team in terms of an athletic post player. She comes from a very successful program at Barton County and is accustomed to winning. We expect her to have a big impact on our team."

Smith-Davidson comes to American from New Mexico CC, who plays in the same conference (WJCAC) as fellow Eagle newcomer Rachel Brazell (Mansfield, Texas/Summit), who signed in April. Smith-Davidson, a 5-10 forward, was a 2005 First Team All-NJCAA Region 5 and First Team All-WJCAC selection after leading the Thunderbirds in scoring with 14.4 points per game. The Ontario, Ore. native also tallied an average of nine rebounds per contest, including four offensive, 2.6 steals and two steals per game.

Maggie Smith-Davidson

"In describing Maggie, words like toughness, competitiveness and aggressiveness come to mind," said McFerrin. "She is the type of player who takes pride in doing all the little things it takes to win basketball games. Being named First Team All-Region in one of the best JUCO regions in the country speaks volumes of her talent. We feel like her athleticism and ability to finish at a high percentage will help us on both ends of the floor."

In addition to Brazell, McFerrin and the Eagles signed a pair of high school forwards in Anna Baran (Rzeszow, Poland/SMS PZKosz Warsaw) and Paula Wargo (Port Clinton, Ohio/Port Clinton). American finished the 2005-06 season with a 7-21 record but loses just two seniors to graduation.