CAIRO — Coastal Alabama Community College’s recruitment of Cairo Syrupmaids basketball player Makhia Evers happened by chance. But there’s no denying Evers deserved a future as a collegiate basketball player.
Cairo head coach Melissa McClendon recalled Evers’ journey to Coastal Alabama, which became official on Friday when she signed her letter of intent.
“There was a recruiter that was actually at the (last) game, and he was not there to see her. He was actually there to see some of the boys game, and he caught the tail end of our game,” McClendon said. “She was really getting to the basket, rebounding the ball, putting the ball in the hole. He talked to me at the end of the game and said, ‘Hey, who is that, and is she a senior?’ He said, ‘Coach, I have the perfect fit for her.’
“He called Coastal Alabama and Coach (Cedric) Yelding, he called him right then and there. That coach said, ‘Coach, please tell her that we are extending a verbal commitment to her right now on the spot.’ He trusted his recruiter friend that much.”
The trust should pay off for the Coyotes. Evers brings a physical 5-foot-11 frame to the post. She also brings a 100% work ethic that will transition well to the collegiate game. Even with the Syrupmaids struggling to just one win last season, it did not impact how Evers approached the game.
“It showed so much character on her part, because she never quit,” McClendon said. “You know as well as I do that’s something that adults struggle with. In the face of adversity, can you stand the test? She did, and as a result of that, she’s being rewarded.
“We are so excited for her. The beginning of this season, she didn’t know which direction she was going to be going in. She had no idea she would get this opportunity. She’s trusted the process.”