Bears Net Lofton, Wilson In Early Signing Period
11/19/2025 11:07:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MACON – Head coach Michelle Clark-Heard continued to add impeccable talent to her Mercer women's basketball roster on Wednesday morning when Ohioan Maliyah Lofton and Tennessee native Jala Wilson announced their intentions to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Bears.
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The early signing period duo will head to Middle Georgia in time for the 2026-27 campaign.
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Lofton, a 5-6 guard out of Columbus, Ohio, earned all-state and all-district laurels as a junior in 2024-25 after averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game in pacing coach Dave Dennis and Harvest Preparatory School to a dozen victories and a runner-up finish in the region tournament. The athletic guard, who averaged 12.8 points per game as a freshman and 16.1 an outing as a sophomore for the Warriors, joined the program's list of 1,000-point scorers amid her junior season as well. A three-sport athlete at Harvest Prep, she is also a standout in volleyball and track & field.
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The daughter of Lorrie Poindexter currently maintains a 3.8 cumulative grade point average at Harvest Prep where she is also a member of the National Honor Society. She is expecting to major in kinesiology at Mercer.
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"Maliyah is a point/combo guard that can attack, create, defend and do whatever the team needs to help us be successful," Clark-Heard said. "Her versatility and strong presence will continue to help build our guard play next year."
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A 6-2 forward that hails from Memphis, Tenn., Wilson raked in team defensive player of the year and a slew of player of the game accolades as a junior while averaging 18.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game for coach Lynn Smith at Whitehaven High School. A most valuable player honoree in volleyball for the Tigers, as well as a state qualifier in track & field, she helped pace WHS to 21 wins last year, as well as a berth in the state playoffs.
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The daughter of Antasha Jefferson and Lawrence Wilson has three brothers – Cedric, Jared and Jameir – as well as two sisters, Lauren and Erika. She maintains a 4.0 cumulative grade point average at Whitehaven High School and is anticipating majoring in mass communication at Mercer.
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"Jala is a physical post player that dominates space and doesn't shy away from contact," Clark-Heard said. "Her toughness will fuel the team both on the offensive and defensive end. We are excited to have her as part of the Bear family."
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The early signing period duo will head to Middle Georgia in time for the 2026-27 campaign.
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Lofton, a 5-6 guard out of Columbus, Ohio, earned all-state and all-district laurels as a junior in 2024-25 after averaging 17.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game in pacing coach Dave Dennis and Harvest Preparatory School to a dozen victories and a runner-up finish in the region tournament. The athletic guard, who averaged 12.8 points per game as a freshman and 16.1 an outing as a sophomore for the Warriors, joined the program's list of 1,000-point scorers amid her junior season as well. A three-sport athlete at Harvest Prep, she is also a standout in volleyball and track & field.
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The daughter of Lorrie Poindexter currently maintains a 3.8 cumulative grade point average at Harvest Prep where she is also a member of the National Honor Society. She is expecting to major in kinesiology at Mercer.
Â
"Maliyah is a point/combo guard that can attack, create, defend and do whatever the team needs to help us be successful," Clark-Heard said. "Her versatility and strong presence will continue to help build our guard play next year."
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A 6-2 forward that hails from Memphis, Tenn., Wilson raked in team defensive player of the year and a slew of player of the game accolades as a junior while averaging 18.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game for coach Lynn Smith at Whitehaven High School. A most valuable player honoree in volleyball for the Tigers, as well as a state qualifier in track & field, she helped pace WHS to 21 wins last year, as well as a berth in the state playoffs.
Â
The daughter of Antasha Jefferson and Lawrence Wilson has three brothers – Cedric, Jared and Jameir – as well as two sisters, Lauren and Erika. She maintains a 4.0 cumulative grade point average at Whitehaven High School and is anticipating majoring in mass communication at Mercer.
Â
"Jala is a physical post player that dominates space and doesn't shy away from contact," Clark-Heard said. "Her toughness will fuel the team both on the offensive and defensive end. We are excited to have her as part of the Bear family."
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