STEPHENVILLE, Texas – A pair of Houston high school standouts have signed with Tarleton State Women's Basketball starting in 2026-27, head coach Bill Brock announced. 

Kendall Ford (Glenda Dawson High School) and Alayna Yates (Legacy The School of Sport Sciences) will join the Texans as freshmen next season. Both accomplished athletes in their respective high schools, Ford is a 5-foot-8-inch combo guard while Yates is a 6-foot-1-inch forward. Ford and Yates are club teammates at Fam Elite. 

"Both Alayna and Kendall bring athleticism and toughness to our team," Brock said. "Alayna plays with relentless effort in the paint and her rebounding ability will create extra opportunities for our team. Kendall is an outstanding defender on the premier and finds a way to score on the offensive end of the court. Her versatility will add depth to our guard position. We are excited to add these outstanding student-athletes to the Texan Family and our fans will enjoy watching Alayna and Kendall play next season!"

Kendall Ford, 5-8, Guard, Houston, Texas (Glenda Dawson High School)
Scoring over 1,000 points entering her senior season, Ford has earned multiple accolades on the court. Not only did Ford earn MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, she is a three-time All-District First Team honoree. 

Ford has lettered in basketball all four years and was a captain for three years under head coach Gary Douglas. In addition to her prolific scoring, Ford attacks the glass. She has almost 1,000 career rebounds entering her senior season. 

Ford is a member of National Honor Society and competes for the Fam Hoops 3SSB 17U basketball club. 

Alayna Yates, 6-1, Forward, Houston, Texas (Legacy The School of Sport Sciences)
Despite not starting basketball until she was 13, that has not slowed down Yates. In addition to helping her team to a pair of state championships, Yates earned All-State First Team honors. Yates also broke her school's single game rebounding record, grabbing 25 boards in a single contest. 

Yates is a top 100 prospect in Texas, being ranked No. 51 in the state by Prep Girls Hoops. She was also ranked No. 71 in the state by Jason Key (Premier Basketball/ESPN). 

The three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, track & field) is a member of National Honor Society at Legacy The School of Sport Sciences. She runs the 100-meter, 200-meter, 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays in track while being a standout in volleyball and basketball. 

Tarleton State opens December on the road, traveling to Mississippi Valley State Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.