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BY JUSTIN RICE

It was an odd summer for Stafford High School senior Marquel Davis. She couldn't recall the last time she went so long without playing basketball.

Last year's Free Lance-Star girls basketball player of the year battled knee injuries in June and July, and she didn't get back on the court until September.

But now she's 100 percent, and tomorrow she will take a big step forward in her basketball career.

Davis is one of a host of area athletes prepared to sign college scholarship offers in the NCAA's early signing period, which began yesterday.

Davis will sign with the University of Pittsburgh at a ceremony tomorrow at the high school.

"I'm excited to sign," Davis said. "I'm really content with my decision."

Davis committed to Pittsburgh last spring and expected to spend the summer playing basketball with the Fairfax Stars, her AAU team.

But first her right knee started to ache, and then her left. Surgery for a torn meniscus was scheduled.

But a second opinion from a doctor recommended by Pittsburgh's coaches led to an alternative diagnosis of bruised cartilage in her knees, a condition which requires rest.

So Davis sat and watched. She still traveled with the Stars, working on her basketball IQ.

"Coaches would ask, 'What set would you run here against this defense,'" Davis said. "I tried to make myself useful. When you're a point guard you're like a coach on the floor. I was a coach off the floor."

Davis started playing again in September, working to tune up her game for what she expects to be a successful season.

"We're pretty pumped, for sure," she said.

Many of the coaches who have had Davis on their teams will gather at Stafford tomorrow, along with her family and a host of classmates to see Davis sign her letter of intent.

"I'm very happy for her, and excited for her," Stafford coach Julie Hinckley said. "I think we realized it after her freshman year. She had a great season, and that was really a missing link for us.

"I've never had a freshman make an impact like that."

ALSO SIGNING IN THE EARLY PERIOD:

Josh Hairston, who led Courtland to the Group AA, Division 4 state basketball championship last season, will sign with Duke in a ceremony Monday.

After three years at Courtland, Hairston is finishing his high school career at Montrose Christian School.

A pair of Eastern View softball players will sign scholarship offers tomorrow at the high school.

Shortstop Anna Klumpp will play at James Madison University, and first baseman Samantha May has committed to Radford.

In between Mountain View's Group AAA state field hockey tournament games this week, Wildcats senior Heather Hartman--the Commonwealth District's player of the year--will sign with Delaware.

Brooke Point baseball player Evan Houde is signing to play with Frederick (Md.) Junior College.

Spotsylvania baseball standout Matt Houston will sign a scholarship offer to play at William & Mary.

Austin Geisler, a Stafford County resident who plays lacrosse at St. Anne's-Belfield, signed yesterday with the University of Virginia.

Two Riverbend girls soccer players will sign in the coming days: Heather Haag (VMI) and Alexis Stahlman (Christopher Newport).

Colonial Forge volleyball player Heather Quick will be signing with Rider University. Teammate Morgan Hymes has committed to Randolph-Macon.

Justin Rice: 540/368-5045
Email: jrice@freelancestar.com