Bunch to play for Florida Southern

The Crystal River basketball standout cites the campus, closeness and coaches in signing with the Lakeland school.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 14, 2000

CRYSTAL RIVER -- When Monique Bunch began the search for the perfect college, she had three things in mind: She wanted a small, friendly campus, a good basketball program and a place close to home -- but not too close.

She found it all at Florida Southern University.

Bunch, a two-time All-North Suncoast girls basketball player of the year, signed a national letter of intent Thursday afternoon to play basketball for Florida Southern, a campus of 1,700 students located in Lakeland.

Bunch is the first Crystal River girls basketball player to earn a scholarship at a Division II or higher institution.

"This is a big thing," Crystal River coach Norris Lightsey said. "This could be a shining light for all these young girls here in Crystal River."

Bunch, 17, said she was especially impressed with the small-town campus atmosphere and the Florida Southern coaches. The coaching staff was at Crystal River's season-opener and has been in contact with Bunch since.

She also attended several Florida Southern games this season.

"I love the coaches -- the way they are and how they coach," said Bunch, who was joined for the signing in the principal's office by her mother and father, William and Pamela Bunch.

Pamela Bunch said she hoped her daughter would choose either Florida Southern or the University of Tampa.

"The college is secluded and it's not spread out and in the middle of the hustle and bustle," Pamela Bunch said. "My main concern was that she go somewhere where she will be happy. It is four years of her life, so I prayed the Lord would let her make the right choice. I'm happy with it (Monique's decision)."

Bunch said she plans to spend the summer working on her jump shot and her free-throw shooting. She is hoping to see playing time next fall.

"They graduated three seniors so my position (center/forward) will be open," Bunch said. "Their style is the same as I played in high school, but they have people as good as you."

Bunch's main problem in high school was that the Pirates' schedule rarely allowed her to play against opponents with similar talent, her coach said. And therein lies what the coaching staff at Florida Southern is so excited about.

"They feel like she has so much potential," Lightsey said. "They see what she could become. Because of who she played, her potential is still untapped. We've just seen glimpses of what she can do."

Bunch, who plans to study criminology, said the small student body was another important factor in her decision.

"I have a 2.8 GPA so I have to be where people will know my name, I can get tutoring and the classes are small," Bunch said.

Lightsey said he has no doubt Bunch made a wise decision, but said the Pirates will suffer.

"It's hard to replace over 1,100 career points and over 1,000 rebounds," he said. "She was a special person."

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