Memorial center Julia Sion figured that she would land at a Southland Conference basketball program. She just wanted to pave her own way.

“Well, my sister goes to Lamar, so … I just really didn’t want to go with her,” she said.

Sion officially signed with Northwestern State on Tuesday morning at the Lady Titans’ gymnasium, while three of her teammates — Emily McElroy, Denisha Anderson and Iyanna Brannon — all committed to Southwestern College, located southwest of Wichita, Kansas, in Winfield.

Sion was a central figure in the Lady Titans’ run to a District 21-5A co-championship with her ability to score and control the glass (she averaged 12 points, 1.2 blocks and 9 rebounds per game), as well as her improved shooting range. She’s the third Division I player in the past four years from Memorial (Jakeira Ford to UTEP in 2016 and Kennedy Lofton to Southern in 2017).

“When I went on my visit, I just loved the atmosphere, and everyone gave a family vibe,” Sion said.

Northwestern State went 11-18 overall and 6-12 in the Southland.

Lady Titans coach Kevin Henry said he felt all four signees would play on the next level.

“I think Northwestern is going to be a good fit for [Sion],” he said. “With the other three going to Southwestern together, I think that’s going to make everything work well for them. They’re a tight group, and I know they’re going to keep that close bond. I just know they’ll continue to be successful and continue to grow.”

Anderson said she, McElroy and Brannon planned for about two months on signing together with the Moundbuilders, an NAIA program that is hoping to change its fortunes after a 4-25 season.

“We all loved the school,” McElroy said. “We all loved the basketball program. We wanted to stay a family.”

Anderson (6.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2 steals per game) was one of the Lady Titans’ standout guards and had many post players to complement the backcourt, including the 6-foot-1 Sion, a first-team All-District 21-5A selection. Forward McElroy (4.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals per game) and Anderson made the second team and forward Brannon (2.3 points, 4.8 rebounds per game) was named honorable mention.

“Hard work does pay off and we definitely did a lot of hard work to get us to the district championship, and I’m sure we’re going to work hard enough to get our school a title,” Brannon said.

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I.C. Murrell: 721-2435. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews