FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University women’s basketball coach Valecia Tedder has announced the signing of Ashley Abed of Oakton, Va., and Lauren Beeson of Winston-Salem, N.C., to national letters of intent during the recent early signing period. Both are currently high school seniors and will attend FMU in the fall of 2007.

Abed, a 5-10 forward, is a senior at Oakton High School, where she plays for coach Fred Priester.

Last season, she averaged 6.5 points and 6.0 rebounds for a Cougar squad that won the Concorde District championship. 

Abed also played for the Vogues 16 National club Team, and helped that squad place ninth at the 2006 AAU National Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Beeson, a 5-9 guard, attends High Point Central High School, where she plays under the direction of coach Kenny Carter.

As a junior, she averaged 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game. She earned All-Conference and All-Area honors, and was voted her team’s Best All-Around Player. She also served as her squad’s captain in 2005.

“Ashley may be the most physical recruit I have signed at FMU,” said Tedder. “She is not afraid to mix it up. She can play with her back to the basket, but also can step out and shoot from the outside. She runs the floor well and is a very aggressive rebounder.

“Lauren is a true shooting guard. She comes from a strong high school program and will arrive on campus very well prepared. She is a hustler, who plays all out, and she will add scoring to our perimeter game.”

Francis Marion has only one senior on its 2006-07 roster. The Patriots have won two of three games to open the new season.