FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas-Fort Smith women’s basketball coach Louis Whorton added an important piece to next season’s Lady Lions team this week with the signing of former West Memphis (Ark.) High School standout Tashley Gaines.
Gaines, a 5-foot-10 guard, will be a junior next season and played the past two seasons at NCAA Division I University of South Alabama. Whorton said he is pleased to add a Division I transfer like Gaines, who was recruited by USA, UALR, Memphis and Arkansas State during her senior season at West Memphis.
“She fits our system just like a glove,” Whorton said. “We are certainly proud to have her, and we look forward to having two good years with her.”
Gaines played in 23 of the Lady Jags’ 31 games this past season, averaging 20.3 minutes per game. She averaged 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and was second on the team with 17 blocks and third on the team with 26 steals.
She shot 45 percent (69 of 152) from the field, 42 percent (5 of 12) from 3-point range and 78 percent (79 of 102) from the free-throw line. Gaines led the Lady Jags in scoring five times this season and five times was their top rebounder.
“She wanted to go to somewhere where they played a style of basketball that was more to her ability – the fast-paced, up-tempo, pressing-type basketball that we play. It fits her because she is such a great athlete,” Whorton said. “She’s 5-10, can play multiple positions, can attack the rim, can shoot the three, handle it and guard inside people and outside people. She’s going to bring a lot to our basketball team.”
As a freshman, Gaines played in all 32 games for the Lady Jags. She averaged 3.8 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per outing. She collected 96 rebounds, including 64 offensive rebounds (third best on the team).
Gaines also had 32 steals (second on the team) and 20 blocks. She shot 37.6 percent from the field (38 for 101). She also ranked 14th in the Sun Belt Conference in blocks.
During her prep career at West Memphis, Gaines lettered three years in basketball. She helped lead the Blue Devils to a state runner-up finish both her junior and senior seasons. She earned First-Team All-State and All-Conference honors as a senior after averaging 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.5 steals per game.
She competed in the 2008 East-West Tyson/Wal-Mart/Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game and was nominated for the McDonald’s High School All-American Game prior to the start of her senior season.
As a junior, Gaines averaged 14.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while also averaging four steals per game and dishing out three assists per contest. That season she earned both Class 6A All-State honors and All-State Tournament honors after guiding West Memphis to a 27-4 mark and a runner-up finish in the state playoffs.
