Pershing's Carlisle Becomes Third Member of 2013-14 Express Women's Basketball Freshmen Class

LaKayra Carlisle signs her letter of intent to play for the Express next year. To her right is her mother, LaSonya, and Pershing athletic director Eric Pate. To her left is her father, Andre, and DSA principal Ahna Felix-Brown. In the back is Express women's basketball assistant coach Stephen Perry and head coach Mike Llanas (L to R). Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
LaKayra Carlisle signs her letter of intent to play for the Express next year. To her right is her mother, LaSonya, and Pershing athletic director Eric Pate. To her left is her father, Andre, and DSA principal Ahna Felix-Brown. In the back is Express women's basketball assistant coach Stephen Perry and head coach Mike Llanas (L to R). Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Posted: Apr 12, 2013

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

PHOTOS

Detroit, MI---LaKayra Carlisle signed a letter of intent today to play women's basketball for the Express next season.

A signing ceremony was held at Detroit School of Arts Wednesday morning, where Carlisle attends school. Since DSA doesn't have basketball, she played for Detroit Pershing.

Carlisle led the Doughgirls to the PSL semifinals and the district finals as a senior. She averaged about 15 points and eight rebounds for a team that finished 12-6.

As a sophomore and junior, her team advanced to the PSL finals, while also advancing to the state quarterfinals and regional final.

Academically, Carlisle was named the PSL's Proud Strong Leader of the Week at one point during her senior season. She is an honor roll student at DSA.

LaKayra is the daughter of Andre and LaSonya Carlisle. She has two sisters, LaDreya and LaNiyra, as well as three brothers, Alan, Alex and Andre Jr.

Carlisle plans on majoring in communications at Owens. She becomes the third member of next year's freshmen class, as she joins Hannah Griffin of Edgerton High School and Maura Hackney of Edgewood High School.

The Express women's basketball team finished 28-8 last season and advanced to the NJCAA D-II National Tournament, where they finished seventh in the nation. During the season, they captured the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) championship, as well as the Region XII District I championship. Their 28 wins marked the second most in a single season.