CSU Announces 09-10 Signing Class

Columbus, GA - First-year Columbus State head women's basketball coach Jonathan Norton has announced the addition of six players to the program for the upcoming 2009-10 season. The half-dozen newcomers join early signee Crystal Rogers, who inked with CSU during the early signing period last November.

Norton and recently departed assistant coach Denisha Davidson worked dilligently throughout the spring to put together the class which consists of one freshman and five transfers. three of the transfers are from junior colleges, while two come froma four-year schools. The class is made up of five guards and one post player.

"We are excited about this class because we have added much needed depth at every position," said Norton. " Our coaching staff expects all these young ladies to contribute right away and mesh with the 8 returners to create a great season."

Tara Tranum, a 6'1 post player from Bluff City, TN, comes to CSU from former Peach Belt school USC Upstate. She played two years for the Spartans, seeing action in 22 games as a freshman and four games last season. As a high school player in her hometown, she averaged 7.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in earning All Conference honors. She helped lead her squad to three consecutive conference and district titles. She gives CSU another formidable presence inside to compliment the play of All-American Phebe Smith.

Denise Campbell (5'4 point guard) comes to CSU from Frederick (MD) Community College after averaging 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and seven steals per game as a sophomore last season. She was named league MVP and her steals total led the nation in the NJCAA rankings. She is joined by Southern Union transfer Nakita Holt (5'6 guard). A native of Clay, AL, Holt scored 11 points and handed out 7.4 assists per game last season. In addition, she grabbed 3.6 rebounds and had 2.3 steals per game in helping her team to a 27-4 record. She was a First Team All Region and All Conference selection.

Renee Jackson, a native of Lawrenceville, GA, comes to CSU from Northwest Florida Community College. A 5'9 guard, Jackson averaged seven points, two rebounds and two steals per game last season in helping her team to a 21-8 season mark. Former Columbus High star Yasha Blount completes the list of transfers. The former Bi-City Female Athlete of the Year has spent the last two seasons playing soccer for former PBC foe Kennesaw State and has decided to return to basketball in coming to CSU. As a senior for Columbus High, Blount averaged 12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals. She brings a wealth of athleticism and quickness to the floor for the Lady Cougars.

The lone freshman in the spring class is another local product. Hardaway High's Kelsie Weynand will join the Lady Cougars after a stellar high school career for the Hawks. She averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, three assists and 2.9 steals last season for HHS, leading the team to a 24-4 record and a berth in the Georgia Elite Eight. She was named Bi-City Player of the Year, All-Region, and a Herbert Greene All-Star. She was also MCSD Christmas Tournament MVP and scored 1,528 points in her career at Hardaway.

Rogers, a 6'0 post player from Palm Bay, FL, prepped at Melbourne Central Catholic high last season and completed a career that began in Montana. She amassed 1,438 career points and scored 15.2 points per contest last season as a senior. She inked with CSU in November and is just one of two true freshmen on the roster this year.

"Rogers and Tranum should help take some pressure off Phebe Smith in the post. Campbell and Holt will provide quickness and experience at the point guard spot. It is great to have two local standouts in Weynand and Blount who give us more size and scoring from the wing position," said Norton.

CSU opens the season on November 20 against Lenoir-Rhyne in the Mars Hill Classic, hosted by Mars Hill College. The Lady Cougars' home opener will come on November 27 against Tusculum in the PBC/SAC Classic at the Lumpkin Center.