April 13, 2006

PITTSBURGH - Pitt women's basketball head coach Agnus Berenato has announced the signing of Jania Sims to a National Letter-of-Intent for the 2006-07 season. Sims is a standout point guard from Malcolm X Shabazz High School in New Jersey, where she helped the Bulldogs to an unprecedented fifth straight Essex County Tournament title this past year.

Sims, a native of Newark, N.J., also guided Shabazz to a third Tournament of Champions title in four years and a No. 8 ranking nationally by USA Today after a perfect 33-0 season. She averaged 11.8 points, 6.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game as a senior, earning All-Newark and All-Essex County First Team honors. A Star-Ledger All-Senior Team and All-Pickpocket Team member as well, Sims was a 2005 candidate for Jersey Miss Basketball and earned NJSIAA North All-Star Team honors this year.

"Jania is both quick and agile, which are outstanding qualities to have in a point guard," Berenato said. "Her ability to contribute both offensively and defensively will make her an immediate impact player for us. She is tremendous handling the ball and can still be a leader and coach on the court without the ball. Her court vision allows her to see not only the next pass but the complete play before it happens. She's the type of player that wants the ball in her hands when the game is on the line."

In her senior campaign, Sims passed the 1,000-point plateau and finished her Bulldog career with 1,197 points. The Star-Ledger, which gave Shabazz its prestigious Team of the Year honor, also honored Sims as the Most Improved Player in the county. She was also named second-team all-state, the Watchung Conference Player of the Year and to the All-Watchung Conference Team. As a starter all four years at Shabazz, Sims guided the Bulldogs to an impressive overall mark of 117 wins and only nine losses.

"Jania Sims of Shabazz matured into a consummate point guard," said Joe Battaglia of the Star-Ledger. "The senior was a lock-down defender and always at ease directing the offense and distributing to her teammates. She also had a feel for when to take over herself, as she showed in hitting clutch shots in state tournament victories over Scotch Plains, Monmouth Regional and Absegami."

Sims' 169 assists as a junior at Shabazz surpassed the previous school record of 151, held by All-Big East selection Matee Ajavon of Rutgers. Sims will have the luxury of learning from senior point guard Mallorie Winn next season as the Panthers come off their most successful campaign in the 32-year history of the program.

Sims completes the incoming class for Berenato and the Panthers in 2006-07, joining center Selena Nwude (Riverdale, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) and guard Ashleigh Braxton (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park). All three recruits are coming off state championship seasons with their high school teams.

Pitt finished 22-11 and advanced to the WNIT semifinals by winning three postseason games for the first time. The Panthers finished in a tie for sixth place in the Big East Conference after being picked to finish 13th out of 16 teams, tying the school record for victories in a season.