University of Massachusets Athletics
Dacko Inks Duo During Early-Signing Period
November 20, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2002
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts women's basketball Head Coach Marnie Dacko has announced that Joyce Massey (Detroit, Mich.) and Tamara Tatham (Brampton, Ontario) have both signed national letters of intent during the early signing period. These are the first two members of Dacko's first recruiting class in Amherst. Both girls are in the midst of their respective tournaments.
"I am pleased to add these two young ladies to the UMass basketball family," said Dacko. "These players have both been very well coached and take as much pride in their defensive skills as they do on the offensive side of the floor. They both exemplify the type of well-rounded student-athlete we look for and the UMass community should enjoy watching their development over the next four seasons."
Massey is a 5-11 swing player out of Martin Luther King High School in Detroit. She has led her team to an undefeated season thus far and is considered the favorite to win the Michigan Class A championship by the Detroit News. Last season, King was a state semifinalist. Massey is averaging 12 points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals per game.
"Joyce is a powerful player capable of scoring inside as well as outside," said Dacko.
Tatham is a 6-1 forward from Chinguacousy High School in Brampton, Ontario. Chinguacousy is currently 17-2 heading into tonight's Region of Peel championship game against St. Francis Xavier. They are receiving honorable mention accolades from the Toronto Star in this week's coaches top 10 poll. Tatham is averaging 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game this season.
"Tamara will run the floor well for us and provide a presence inside," said Dacko.
The Minutewomen host Sacred Heart in both squads' season openers on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Mullins Center. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.