Published: June 13, 2007 01:02 am      

Central’s Simmons signs with Union College

RICHMOND — Lyndsey Simmons was not sure her life-long goal would come true, but Tuesday she signed to continue playing basketball at the next level.

The Madison Central senior picked Union College over Transylvania University and Midway College.

“It’s the best thing in the world. I can’t express it,” Simmons said. “It’s something I’ve worked so hard for and I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

Simmons was the lone senior on a very youthful Lady Indian team this season, helping to guide them to a 18-11 record.

She averaged 10 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game her senior year.

And while Central coach Guy Gandolfo used her more as a forward, her ballhandling skills did allow for her to be out on the perimeter — which caught Union coach Tim Curry’s eye.

“She’s got the ability to get to the rim off the dribble,” Curry said. “In high school she played more around the basket and that will be something we’ll do a lot of in the preseason is working on the perimeter game. Because she will play a lot out on the floor in college and I think that ability is there.”

The senior scored in double figures 14 times and her season high was 21 against Ryle. Unfortunately, the year was marred with injures and illness. While she played through both, at times it was frustrating.

“My senior year was very hard,” Simmons said. “I had to step up and be the only leader. But, we had such a good season.”

Union had a lot of success last season as well. The Lady Bulldogs won the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament, receiving the automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t play very well in the national tournament, but we’ve got a lot of returning kids,” Curry said. “(Simmons) is just another piece. We’ve graduated a couple of kids that played for us last year and had to replace some minutes. We see her coming in as a perimeter, three-four type player, one which we graduated.”

Curry also liked Simmons athleticism and sees it as the biggest key to helping her develop quickly in his up-tempo style.

And unlike some college freshman, Simmons will not be in Barbourville without knowing some people before hand.

Several Madison County athletes have already signed with Union this year.

Madison Southern’s Tiffany Willis (golf), along with Berea’s Brian Mosher (baseball), Brett Smith (soccer) and most recently Daniel Crump (baseball) have all been recruited and signed with the Bulldogs.

Willis, who will also look at walking on to the basketball team, will room with Simmons.

“It felt so at home when I went down to visit,” Simmons said. “I felt like it was the place for me. ... I’m excited to know people down there. I also know a few former basketball players at Central for the guys team there. They are the only people I know.”