Monica Pope, a member of the Creekside High School varsity girls basketball team, signed a national letter of intent to play basketball next year for the Lady Paladans of Furman University.

Pope signed early because she was ready to get the process over with and to concentrate on sharpening her skills during her last high school season.

"There were so many good schools recruiting me," Pope said. "It was through a lot of serious thought and prayers that I was able to make my decision to attend Furman. Now that the recruitment phone calls have stopped and the pressure has been released, I feel like a new person. I just want to relax and have fun this season."

Pope began her high school career at Woodward Academy, where she joined the varsity team during the season. She transferred to Creekside High School in her sophomore year. She has played varsity for the Seminoles all three years and has been named Most Valuable Player in both her sophomore and junior seasons, as well as a member of the All County team and Atlanta Tip Off Club and AJC Girls Prep team Player of the Month.

She also was named to the GHSA Girls AAA All State First team last year, and was named Creekside Volleyball Most Valuable Player of the Year last year.

On top of her many athletic accolades, Pope has been on the honor roll since her freshman year. She is involved in the Peer Mentoring Program and the Beta Club, has maintained a grade point average of 3.5 and above and has been named Most Outstanding Student in geometry and Algebra II.

Pope looks forward to a successful season with the Creekside basketball team as well as to starting a successful college career at Furman University next fall.