Nov. 20, 2008

Johnson C. Smith tennis coach James Cuthbertson, Jr. has announced the signing of Samantha Barnes of Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, Virginia.

Coach Cuthbertson is elated at the prospect of "Sam" joining the team.

"I really appreciate being allowed to tour the campus and get an inner-perspective from actual team members," said Barnes. "I enjoyed visiting the classrooms also."

"Her strokes and serve are phenomenal," Cuthbertson said, adding that she covers the court very well also. "She is also very quick." `"Sam is an important piece of the puzzle for us," he continued. "We are setting up to possibly contend for top honors in the conference and the newly formed Atlantic Region."

Sam is the daughter of Kevin and Glenda Barnes of Hampton, Virginia.

She plays number one at Kecoughtan and was selected to the All Peninsula District Team with a 9 -3 record. Her senior season will begin this spring.