NATCHITOCHES –Sami Thomas from Leesville (Pickering HS) and Tia Youngblood of DeRidder (DeRidder HS) signed with the Northwestern State women's basketball program during the early signing period co-head coaches Brooke and Scott Stoehr announced Wednesday.
 
"As we continue to build the program, we are aiming to add quality student-athletes to the team," said Brooke Stoehr, who is in her second year as co-head coach.
 
"We feel like we've done just that with these two young ladies.  Sami and Tia are very involved in their schools and hold numerous leadership positions on their respective campus," she said.
 
Throughout her high school career, Thomas has averaged 17 points per game, five assists, and five rebounds per game.  Last season, she was named the District 4-2A and Vernon Parish Most Valuable Player.
 
"Sami committed to us last spring and it's exciting to finally make it official," said Stoehr. "We couldn't be more excited about her joining our program.  She is a competitor and proven winner.
 
"She strives for excellence on and off the court," she said. "Sami will add a level of toughness on the perimeter that will help us continue to take the next step in building a championship culture.
 
"Sami has the ability to shoot the three as well as create and distribute for her teammates," said Stoehr.
 
The point guard was named first-team All-Cenla, All-Southwest, and All-State.  She was named to the Louisiana Sports Writer's Association 2A first-team and Top 28 All-Tournament Team.
 
"I really look forward to continuing to develop a relationship with the coaches," said Thomas. "I believe they will push me to be the best I can be.  I grew up around [Northwestern State] and I love the family atmosphere that it gives."
 
"I remember watching Sami when she was 5 or 6 (years old) in biddy ball and thinking she was cute and was so serious about playing.  When I watched her at 7 and 8 (years old) I remember telling her mom and dad she's going to be something special," said Thomas' high school head coach Vickie Sketoe.
 
"She is an extraordinary young lady.  Smart in the classroom with a 4.0 (grade point average), and had lots of friends and a standout on the court," said Sketoe. "She has helped lead Pickering to three Top 28 appearances and has tons of accolades to go with that."
 
Thomas is the daughter of Eddie and Mary Thomas, and has one brother, Gett.
 
Youngblood has career averages of 16 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and three steals a game.
 
"We are excited about having Tia as a part of our NSU family.  She is going to bring an exciting style of play to our program," said Stoehr.  "Tia has the ability to play both inside and on the perimeter for us.  Her versatility will allow us to play her at different spots on the floor and take advantage of mismatches.
 
"She has a strong desire to compete and win at whatever she does," said Stoehr.
 
The forward was voted All-District 4-4A and Beauregard Daily News Most Valuable Player.  She was a part of the Las Vegas World Cup Basketball Elite Camp and was a winner of the Wendy's high school Heisman Award.
 
"I chose NSU because of the passion Coach Brooke and Coach Scott have not only for basketball, but also the student-athlete," said Youngblood. "NSU has a great campus and an engineering program I will enjoy."
 
Youngblood was a member of the BETA Club and National Honor Society. She won the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and was a three-year academic letterman.
 
"She is possibly the best post player I have ever coached.  She is well disciplined and a tremendous athlete and student," said DeRidder head coach Tammie Gibson.  "She has a wonderful attitude, a joy to coach, and makes coaching fun."
 
 She is the daughter of Krisshunn Youngblood and has one sibling, Everett.
 
"Both Sami and Tia want to be successful in whatever they do," she said.  "Each of them comes from well-coached and successful Louisiana high school programs.  Sami and Tia both have strong NSU ties and our fans will come to appreciate their love for Northwestern State."

Sami Thomas
Point Guard •  Leesville, La. (Pickering HS)
 
High School:
• averaged 17 points, five assists  a five rebounds per game.
• District 4-2A and Vernon Parish MVP
• first-team All-Cenla., All-Southwest, and All-State her junior season.
• LSWA first-team All-State 2A
• Top 28 All-Tournament Team
• coached by Vickie Sketoe
 
Personal:
• daughter of Eddie and Mary Thomas
• one brother, Gett
 


 
Tia Youngblood
Forward  •  DeRidder, La. (DeRidder HS)
 
High School:
• averaged 12 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and 16 points per game.
• All-District 4-4A her junior season.
• named Beauregard Daily News MVP.
• member of Team USA in the Las Vegas World Cup Basketball Elite Camp.
• Wendy's High School Heisman Award winner.
• member of the BETA Club and National Honor Society.
 
Personal:
• daughter of Krisshunn Youngblood
• one sibling, Everett.