FAYETTEVILLE — South View High School will play a major role in Fayetteville Technical Community College’s first season of women’s college basketball.

Recently, Erik Tucker, head couch for the Lady Trojans, signed two graduating players from the South View basketball team — including Deja Cromartie, whose grandparents, Connie and Jerron Richardson, are Bladen County residents.

Cromartie, a 6-foot-1 post player, came off the bench as a senior to contribute 3.4 points and 2.4 rebounds for the Lady Tigers, who finished the season with an overall record of 21-6 and had a 10-2 mark in the Mid-South Conference.

Also selected to play at Fayetteville Tech was Cromartie’s teammate, Khadija Oliphant, who averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4 steals per game for South View.

Two other players who completed their high school eligibility in the 2014-15 season round out the first Fayetteville Tech signees. They are Tyra Brunson-Evans, a 6-foot forward from Jack Britt, and 5-9 St. Pauls guard Jada Mitchell.

“These are our first four and we hope to get seven or eight others,’’ Tucker said. “We have a long way to go and these are the first pieces of the puzzle. This is where we started.’’

W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.

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W. Curt Vincent

cvincent@civitasmedia.com