Mobile, Ala. – University of Mobile women's basketball coach Martha Gore-Algernon knows a little something about the background of her latest signee, Faith Academy's Erica Martens.

Martens spent part of her childhood in Livingston Parish, La., the same part of Louisiana from which Gore-Algernon hails. "That's where those fundamentals come from," Gore-Algernon said of Martens, who became UM's first women's basketball signee of the year on Thursday.

"She's fundamentally sound, she's smart and she gives all-out effort," Gore-Algernon said.

Martens averaged 15 points and nearly six assists per game last season, leading Faith to its fourth straight AISA state championship. She was named the most valuable player of the state tournament and the AISA all-star game and was also honored as the Alabama Sports Writer Association's AISA Player of the Year.

"I just felt like it was a good fit for me," Martens said of UM. "I really like the coaches, the players and the campus. I plan to work hard and try my best to get a position."

Mobile has two other commitments that Gore-Algernon expects to sign soon: 6-1 center Rheonda Leary and 5-9 forward Sanora Cole, both of Scotlandville High School in Baton Rouge, La.

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