HARROGATE, Tenn — Lincoln Memorial University head coach Josh Schertz announced on Friday that Canton McKinley High School center Mike Mills has signed a national letter of intent to join the LMU basketball program beginning in 2013-14.

Mills, a 6’8, 215 pound center from Canton, Ohio, averaged 8.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game as a junior and is ranked as the No. 5 center prospect in the state of Ohio by both Triple Double Prospects and recruiting analyst John Stovall.

“Mike is a big guy with an unlimited ceiling,” said LMU head coach Josh Schertz. “He already possesses a college ready body and as he gets in the weight room he has a chance to become a physically dominant player at our level. He is prototypical of the big guys that we have recruited to our program. He is a terrific rebounder and rim protector already, and has the combination of mobility, bounce and length to be a major offensive post presence for us down the line.

“He plays in one of the premier basketball programs in the state of Ohio at Canton McKinley, and will be exceptionally well coached by Keith Noftz,” Schertz continued. “Mike has a great family and support group at home led by his mother Jacqueline, and I couldn’t be happier to add them to our basketball family.”

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Josey Harding and Sydnie Anderson have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for the Lincoln Memorial University Lady Railsplitters in 2013, head coach Roger Hodge has announced.

Josey Harding has committed to join the 2013 squad in Lady Railsplitter basketball and will be arriving by way of Middletown, Ohio. Listed at 6’2” and a forward, Harding is in the midst of her final prep season at Middletown Madison High School, where she has amassed a bevy of accolades during her stay. In her junior season at Middletown Madison High (2011-12), Josey averaged a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds per contest en route to garnering 2012 AP All-Ohio Girls Basketball Team District III Honorable Mention and SWBL First Team distinctions.

“Josey is an exceptional athlete that runs the floor well,” said her prep coach, John Rossi. “She is an an aggressive rebounder that continues to improve. Josey was part of a district championship team that won 22 games a year ago. This year, we will look for her to rebound and score as well as be a leader. Josey is the type of person that you expect out of your leaders in both practice and games. LMU is getting a super kid with a great personality and work ethic. Josey’s best basketball is still ahead of her.”

Last season, Josey set the school record for rebounds in a game with 21 boards. She was also named the Underclassman of the Year in District 15 Division III. Jim Dabbelt, creator of the Dabbelt Report, named her to the Dayton Top 100, a publication which lists the best players in the Dayton area. Josey was also listed as one of the top players nationally in the Jump Off Plus section of the Southeastern Hoops Girls Basketball Report.

“We could not be more excited to have Josey Harding as part of our family! She comes from an outstanding high school program under Coach John Rossi and plays for one of the best AAU organizations in the country under Carlton Gray and Cincinnati’s Finest,” Hodge said. “Josey is an athletic, physical post that fits our need for a physical interior presence. Our fans are going to enjoy watching the energy and competitiveness that she plays with. She is also a tremendous student and will be an outstanding ambassador for Lady Splitter Basketball.”

Sydnie Anderson will be joining the Lady Railsplitters for the 2013 season, heading to Harrogate by way of Cleveland, Tenn., and Cleveland High. Listed at 5’8” and a guard, Sydnie tallied 10.1 points, three rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per contest during her junior season (2011-12).

“Sydnie has become a well-rounded player,” said Cleveland High School head coach Mindy Kiser. “Not only can she score the basketball, she can also create for others and most importantly defend. She is a very heady player who has continued to improve every season. I wish her the best of luck at Lincoln Memorial University and hope to see great things from her both in the classroom and on the floor.

“Sydnie has become a leader for our younger players,” Kiser continued. “Her maturity both on and off the floor is evident in her actions and the way she carries herself in practice. She has really taken on a workman like attitude and approach to the past offseason and it obviously paid off. Having the opportunity to continue on to the next level is both an honor and a privilege. I am extremely happy for Syd and her entire family.”

For her efforts during the 2011-12 campaign, Anderson collected All-District 5-AAA Regular Season and Tournament Team distinctions.

“Sydnie Anderson represents our commitment to bring the best players in Tennessee to Lincoln Memorial University. She is a dynamic scorer that can get to the rim and shoot from the perimeter. Sydnie is also another great competitor that will fight every possession,” Hodge said. “Mindy Kiser at Cleveland High School has done an outstanding job in developing her talents. Sydnie also plays for one of the premier AAU programs in the state under Quran Nalory. I am very proud that we are able to add another talented player who is also a person of outstanding character to Lady Splitter Basketball.”