April 13, 2012

Tech women’s basketball inks two state champions for 2012-13 season

Quira Demery and Zuri Frost both commit to Tennessee Tech after guiding their schools to state championships this past season

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tennessee Tech women’s basketball head coach Sytia Messer flexed her recruiting muscle once more as she signed state champions Quira Demery of Oklahoma and Zuri Frost of Georgia to national letters of intent.

A 6-foot forward out of Oklahoma City, Demery proved instrumental in Millwood High School’s success over the last four seasons under head coach Arnelia Spears. During her four seasons, Demery accumulated more than 1,000 points and helped guide her team to four-straight appearances in the state championship game, winning it all in 2012.

“What drew me in to Tennessee Tech was how the players interacted with the coaches,” Demery said. “I really liked how the team seemed family oriented and I just felt like I would have a lot of support if I came to Tennessee Tech.”

Messer expressed her enthusiasm about Demery joining the Golden Eagles.

“We thought Quira would be a great addition to our team, both on and off the court,” Messer said. “She has a great work ethic on the court and in the classroom and we’re excited to have her be a part of our basketball family.”

During her senior season, Demery averaged 15 points and eight rebounds per game and was selected to the Oklahoma All-State Game, and named First-Team All-State, as she helped her team to a 24-6 record.

“Quira is one of a kind,” Spears said. “She is a great scorer, rebounder and leader on the court.”

After three straight second-place finishes in the state finals, the Falcons, behind Demery’s 21-point, 12-rebound performance, were finally able to capture the 3A state championship. Demery provided the early spark for her team as she posted 12 of her team’s first 19 points.

“I was so proud of her after the game she had,” Spears said. “She has worked so hard to get to where she is so, it was great to see it all come together.”

Demery led the state tournament in scoring and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“She was always a true leader and was committed to helping her teammates,” Spears said. “She was a mentor to a lot of the players and she did a super job.”

Off the court, Demery has been just as successful as she was named Valedictorian of her class with a 4.1 GPA and intends to major in international business.

“I’m just really excited to join Tennessee Tech and I hope to build a lot of memories,” Demery said.

A 5-3 point guard out of Decatur, Ga., Frost brings two 3A state championships to Tennessee Tech, with the most recent title coming during her senior season under her mother and head coach, Chantay Frost.

“I really thought that Tennessee Tech was the best fit for me,” Zuri Frost said. “I felt like I got along with the players and coaches right away and I felt very welcomed.”

Messer praised Zuri Frost’s ability be a leader on the court.

“Zuri is a high-energy player with a great understanding of the game,” Messer said. “She will be a great addition for us at the point guard position and will be a good leader for us.”

Chantay Frost shared Messer’s sentiments.

“Zuri makes people better all around her,” Chantay Frost said. “She’s a leader on the floor offensively and from a defensive standpoint she has been great.”

A four-year starter for Columbia High School, Frost is no stranger to the big stage as she helped guide her team to the “Elite Eight” during all four seasons, with three appearances in the “Final Four” and two state championships during her sophomore and senior seasons.

During her senior season, Frost averaged 18 points, three rebounds, four assists and five steals per game and was named to the All-Region and All-State First Teams for her efforts.

As a junior she was named to the Georgia All-Star North/South Team and the Georgia North Player of the Year.

“She’s just a pure leader on the court,” Chantay Frost said. “She has a great ability to get to the basket and she can see the floor so well.”

Zuri received the Vince Dooley Award her 2009 and 2010 as she finished second in the county in steals en route to being named the 2009 CHS Defensive Player of the Year. She was also named the DeKalb Player of the Year during her sophomore season.

Zuri Frost intends to study physical therapy at Tennessee Tech.

Demery and Frost join November signees Mariah Dean and Tia Nicholson as TTU’s signing class for the 2012-13 season.