ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) - Elmira High School girls' basketball players Jalea Abrams and Alaejah Wallace signed to continue their athletic careers at the next level on Thursday. Abrams signed to play at Division II Queens College, while Alaejah signed with Division III Keystone College.

Abrams has been part of the Elmira Girls Basketball Program since the fifth grade. As a seventh grader, she was the leading scorer on the STAC JV Championship team. Abrams was named to Third Team All-State in Class AA in 11th grade, and this season, she became the fifth player in program history to score over 1,000 points. Abrams has set a single-season scoring record this season with 463 points and counting. Abrams explained why the Queens College program was the right fit for her. 

"It was tough but I tried to narrow it down, like not look at the campuses," Jalea said. "It was more than that. Academics, and everything else. It came down to my connection with the coach. She really reached out more than any other coach, so most of the plays come from the shooting spot, so that's exactly why she wanted me, because I'd fulfill that." 

Wallace has also been with the Elmira program since fifth grade. She is currently in her third varsity season. Wallace was sidelined during her junior season with an ACL tear. However, she attended every practice, and Head Coach Adon Allen called her "the consummate teammate," and one of the team's "most vocal leaders." Wallace is ready to continue her basketball career injury-free. 

"I'm very excited," Wallace said. "My injury, it was a bad time. I was going through it. It damaged me a lot mentally and I wasn't prepared for that. But, I pushed myself, and now here I am." 

The Express host Binghamton in the Section IV Class AA Semifinals on February 25th.