Missy Kirkland from Hill College Signs National Letter-of-Intent with ENMU Women's Basketball Team

PORTALES, N.M. — Missy Kirkland, a 5’8” guard/forward from Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to play women’s basketball at Eastern New Mexico University. Kirkland, from Arlington, Texas, will be a junior at ENMU during the 2005-06 season.

As a team captain at Hill in 2004-05, Kirkland averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.

“Missy brings Zia basketball an athlete with strength and a great attitude, and because of that she will only get better at our level,” ENMU Co-Head Coach Dustin Klafka said. “Missy’s combination of strength and athleticism gives her the ability to defend anyone we will see. “Missy is a wing player who can put the ball on the floor and attack the glass,” Klafka added. “We are very fortunate to pick up a player with Missy’s attitude and ability”

Eastern New Mexico University won its last four games of 2004-05 to finish the year at 13-14 overall. The Zias concluded the season tied with Texas A&M University Commerce for fourth place in the LSC South at 7-7, but missed out on the LSC Tournament on a tie-breaker. ENMU did well despite playing without the team’s top scorer, senior guard Laci Lee (Portales, NM/Portales HS), for the final 18 games of theseason due to a leg injury.

In 2003-04, Eastern earned a 16-12 overall record and tied for second place in the LSC South at 10-4. ENMU’s successful season also included a berth in the LSC Tournament.

“Missy is good at cutting through the lane,” Co-Head Coach Dan Buzard said. “She can put the ball on the floor and go to the hoop. She gives us a little more athleticism at the guard and forward spots.”