Murfreesboro, TN (U-WIRE) -- Middle Tennessee men's basketball head coach Kermit Davis announced the signings of three junior-college guards yesterday.

The release, which was posted on GoBlueRaiders.com yesterday evening, announced the signings of teammates Emanuel "Bud" Howard and Marques "Doc" Dawson from Lincoln Trail (Ill.) Community College, as well as Adam Vogelsberg of Cloud County (Kan.) Community College.

"We need some immediate help in the perimeter, and I think these guys will be good players for us," Davis told MT Media Relations.

Howard (6'1, 200 lbs.) and Dawson (6'5", 186 lbs.) helped lead Lincoln Trail to the Region 24 championship before falling in the District 11 championship game to Iowa Western Community College 62-57.

Howard was named to the Division 1 All-American second team by the National Junior College Athletic Association, and was also named Great Rivers Athletic Conference Player of the Year.

"Bud gives us an athletic, tough combo guard that can play all three positions," Davis said. "Bud is a very good finisher and will give us explosiveness in the perimeter."

"After my visit there, I couldn't wait to get to Middle Tennessee," Howard told MT Media Relations. "I knew during my visit this is where I wanted to be, and I'm glad it worked out."

Dawson was also excited about coming to Murfreesboro, especially because of Howard.

"I think having a teammate such as [Howard] sign at the same place would be an advantage for anyone," Dawson told MT Media Relations. "We know how each other plays, and that helps."

"Dawson is a very good shooter, he's a long guy, and I believe he has great upside," Davis said. "By his own admission, he needs to get stronger in the weight room."

The 6-foot 4-inch Vogelsberg also impressed Davis, who said all three guards have an opportunity to contribute immediately.

"I thought [Vogelsberg] was one of the best shooters that I saw in junior college basketball this year," Davis said. "He's a really good team guy, moves without the ball, and I think he will fit very well in our system."

"I like the coaching staff at Middle Tennessee a lot, and they did a good job recruiting me," Vogelsberg told MT Media Relations. "Knowing they were short on guards and that I have a chance to step in and help immediately also was important."

Dawson, Howard and Vogelsberg join early signees Tim Blue, Deno Hair, Uriah Hethington and Kevin Kanaskie.

On the women's side, the Lady Raiders signed point guard Johnna Abney to a national letter-of-intent yesterday, interim head coach Kim Rosamond announced.

"Johnna is a point guard who really plays the position exactly as it should be played," Rosamond told MT Media Relations. "She has great court vision, creates extremely well off the dribble, and can bury the three, but just as important, she is an excellent floor leader who commands her team and understands the game."

Abney averaged 16.2 points and 6.0 assists during her career at Rockcastle County High School in Mt. Vernon, Ky. Abney will leave as the school career leader in points with 2,051 and earned Second Team honors from the Associated Press after this season.

Abney led Rockcastle County to a 27-5 record last season, including an undefeated record in the team's region. Rockcastle lost in the first round of the state tournament to eventual champion Lexington Catholic, 73-64.

"[Johnna] is a winner in every way, and we are thrilled she will be part of the Lady Raider family," Rosamond said.

(C) 2004 Sidelines via U-WIRE