It's official - signings by VCU, Liberty, Virginia and Virginia Tech

When VCU hired former former N.C. State star and veteran coach Trena Trice-Hill as an assistant over the summer, Rams coach Beth Cunningham said, "Trena will impact our program immediately." Cunningham wasn't kidding - on Thursday, the school announced that Oak Hill Academy 6-3 center/forward Kiana Trice-Hill, Trena's daughter, had signed a letter-of-intent as part of a size-rich four-player class Cunningham called potentially "one of the best we've ever signed."

"Kiana is a physical, defensive presence that we need.  She has a great work ethic and passion to improve. She has an ability to score in a variety of ways.  She will really impact our team with her ability to rebound as well," Cunningham said.

Others in VCU's incoming class:

Christina Carter, 5-9 G, Thomasville High (Ga.)

Cunningham: "Christina is a very talented point guard with the versatility to be a combo guard for us as well.  She has a high basketball IQ and a great feel for the game. She impacts a team with her ability to make plays, score, and create scoring opportunities for those around her. She has the speed, length, and athleticism to be outstanding defensively for us. She's going to be a great fit in our system with what we do on both ends of the floor."

Aprill McCrae, 6-3 center, Southeast High (N.C.)

Cunningham: "Aprill might be the most heavily recruited player coming out of high school we have signed since I've been at VCU.  She will make an immediate impact with her size, presence, and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor."

Melanie Royster, 6-4 center/forward, Elizabeth Seton High (Md.)

Cunningham: "Melanie is an extremely gifted athlete. Her speed is unmatched for a 6'4" post player. She changes the game with her ability to defend and block shots and her aggressiveness on the boards."

Signings made official by other schools so far:

VIRGINIA TECH

Larryqua "Reka" Hall, 5-10 G, Powder Springs, Ga.

“We are very excited to announce that Reka is joining the Hokie family,” said Virginia Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger. “On the offensive end, she’s a slasher with an explosive first step that helps her get to the basket and finish. Reka is more than just an unbelievable athlete, and I think it’s her heart and the spirit she plays with on defense that makes her truly special.”

VIRGINIA

Bria Smith, 5-9 G, Queens, N.Y.

"Bria Smith is the quintessential combo-guard and we are elated to have her as a Cavalier," Virginia coach Debbie Ryan said. "I had the unique opportunity to watch Bria help the USA win a gold medal at the World Championships in Toulouse, France, this summer. Developed by Coach Bob Mackey, she has an outstanding mid-range game and she is an incredible defender. Bria's athletic ability coupled with her All-American floor game will help us win championships during her career at Virginia."

LIBERTY

Katelyn Adams, 6-5 F/C, Burnsville, Minn.
Catherine Kearney, 6-5 C, Monroeville, N.J.
Ashley Rininger, 6-4 C, Canton, Ohio
Reagan Miller, 5-7 G, Sanger, Texas

"We are so blessed to have God lead such outstanding young women of faith to Liberty," Liberty coach Carey Green said. "Personally, I am so excited to have such quality talent and strong character enter our basketball program's family. Character takes talent to a higher level, and character wins when the talent is equal. As Katelyn, Catherine, Reagan and Ashley grow in faith and develop in skill, you can expect a team of excellence who will honor and glorify God on the basketball court and in life. My enthusiasm and excitement grows with the anticipation of how this class will fan the flame as Champions for Christ."