Robert E. Lee seniors Emem David and DaJah Thompson were teammates for four years on the Lady Raiders and the basketball standouts decided to share their signing day together.
David and Thompson inked scholarship letters of intent in front of a jam-packed group of family members, coaches, friends and well-wishers Friday afternoon at Suddenlink Communications Field House.
Thompson chose to continue her career at Newman University while David will be joining the Savage Storm of Southeastern Oklahoma.
"It's kind of unbelievable; I am just glad to be able (to share this with DaJah)," David said. "We played against each other in the summertime too. We've been together for a long time."
Added Thompson: "It's a big blessing."
Thompson and numerous family members proudly donned their Newman University Jets T-shirt while she signing for the Division II school in the Heartland Conference.
Thompson earned first team all-district honors for the Lady Raiders in basketball and was honorable mention for volleyball.
While looking at prospective schools, Thompson admits she wasn't sure whether it would be basketball or volleyball that she played in college. Newman offered her a full scholarship with one stipulatio: to forego any volleyball aspirations.
"The head coach was like this or that, so it was basketball," Thompson said.
David received first team all-district honors as a junior and was preparing to do even more as a senior when an injury suffered in the summer derailed nearly her entire senior season. She played in Lee's final five district games and was worried that the injury may have ended any collegiate aspirations.
"I was playing AAU in the summer and it kind of got really crucial because I got hurt and I really couldn't play," David said. "This school is a blessing and (the offer) came out of nowhere.
Southeastern Oklahoma had seen David playing in the summer before her injury and wanted a new look at her after recovering from injury.
"I went to the school (after the season) and I tried out," David said. "They saw what I could do and liked it even though I am a bit of out shape. They felt I would (keep improving) and really help their team."
In a release on gosoutheastern.com, Savage Storm coach Darin Grover talked about David.
"Emem gives us size and strength on the blocks," said Grover. "This was an area of need for our program and we believe she fills that need. Emem's biggest strength on the floor is her work ethic; we love players that will give everything they have."
Thompson will depart for Wichita, Kan., after graduation and the senior said many coaches and family members deserve thanks for getting her to this point.
"Thank you to all my coaches. I did not start playing sports until middle school, so i want to thank my teammates, Emem, and everyone that played a part in this," Thompson said.
Added David: "To my teammates: we are going to miss them and they are going to miss us too; and good luck to DaJah and her four years at Newman."