WINDSOR – There was little doubt.

Montreshia Perry knew from the beginning where her heart would take her – and now she’s getting that opportunity.

The Bertie High School senior signed a National Letter of Intent Tuesday, committing to North Carolina Central University in Durham, where she will continue her basketball career.

“I always wanted to go there,” she said. “I liked the environment and the people made me feel like I was home again.”

Bertie High School Head Girl’s Basketball Coach Alice Lyons said she thought Perry would be an exceptional addition to the program at NC Central.

“They were looking for a player of her caliber,” Lyons said. “They wanted someone who was athletic and who could play multiple positions and that’s exactly what they’re getting.

“She will have time to grow, but she will also have an opportunity to get some early playing time,” the coach added.

Perry said she felt there was a lot she had learned at Bertie High that would help her during her collegiate career.

“I want to be a better player and I’ll work to make myself better,” she said. “Everything I have learned here I will take to Central and improve on.”

Perry chose N.C. Central over the only other school she strongly considered, which was CIAA member Chowan University.

With former Bertie standout Jessica Breland just being drafted into the WNBA, Perry said she felt like she had a role model in how to be successful.

“It’s an inspiration,” she said. “Seeing Jessica leave Bertie and become what she has shown me that someone from here can make it far.”

Perry also credited Lyons with helping her.

“Coach has been like a second mother to me,” she said. “She has helped me with my ups and downs and been there for me. She’s a great coach.”

Perry said it was also special to know that she was part of the last group Lyons would coach since the Bertie skipper is retiring at the end of the year.

“It’s exciting and unbelievable,” Perry said. “I hate to see her retire, but if she’s going to, it is very special to be part of her last coaching class.”

Lyons said Perry was a great student-athlete and that would be the key to her success in Durham.

“She is overall a good person, a good athlete and a person who works very hard in the classroom,” Lyons said. “She is coachable and she is going to do well.”

Perry will begin play next season.