The Archers may be just two months removed from the postseason run that saw St. Louis Community College’s women’s basketball team win the Region XVI title, but coach Shelly Ethridge and assistant Melanie Marcy are already seeing next year’s roster take shape.
STLCC received the commitments of guards Erika Harvey (Belleville West) and Ellisha Davis (Belleville East).
The Archers graduate four members of last year’s Region XVI championship team, including guards Marche Belcher and Shiana Carrington. Harvey and Davis figure to compete for a significant role immediately.
“When I visited the campus, I felt like I could really be a part of it,” Davis said. “I feel like I can come in and be a part of something special here.”
“Coach Ethridge likes to play a fast-paced, upbeat style of play, and I really like that,” Harvey said. We were smaller this year at West, so we definitely had to use our quickness up and down the court. I’m really looking forward to doing that here.”
For Harvey, the Belleville West guard began considering St. Louis Community College in January, while playing in the Highland (Illinois) tournament. Harvey scored in double figures in each of her five games in the tournament, and began discussions with Ethridge and Marcy afterward.
“I really liked the coaching staff, and they showed that they really wanted me,” Harvey said. “They really kept in touch with me and really made me feel comfortable, and other schools didn’t make that effort."
Harvey, who profiles in stature and stat line similarly to Davis, averaged 9.4 points and nearly two steals per game for Belleville West.
The pickup of the two guards continues a recruiting trend for Ethridge and Marcy. The Archers’ coaches have routinely found talent through the Metro East, and have done so once again with their backcourt of the future.
“I just look forward to getting there and getting started,” Davis said. “I know Coach Ethridge’s players play hard, play smart, and I hope to come in and start, or get there soon.”