MGCCC’s Markeisha Watson signs Division I scholarship

PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast guard Markeisha Watson signed a basketball scholarship with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday.

The 5-foot-9 guard from Pascagoula will be playing for the Vaqueros in the Western Athletic Conference. Watson averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Lady Bulldogs last year.

"Mentally, physically and emotionally, I got better," Watson said. "I'm glad I came here."

She shot 46.6 percent from the floor and nearly 70 percent from the free-throw line.

 "They're family oriented, they have a great coach and it's a winning program," she said. "I felt like they really wanted me."

UTRGV went 19-14 and played in the WNIT this season. They are coached by Larry Tidwell.

"Coach Tidwell does a tremendous job," Gulf Coast coach Jason Conner said. "I think he's going to get someone who is hungry and excited about this opportunity. What an opportunity to get a degree from the University of Texas system.

"They were in the WAC conference championship last year and they have full intentions of going back. Her education is going to go on far beyond the four walls of a classroom or a gym."

Watson is ready to take the next step at a Division I school. She'll take valuable lessons about perseverance with her.

"Tough times don't last, but tough people do," she said. "You have to keep moving and keep going, no matter how it's going."

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.