April 18, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women’s basketball program has set many new records and had many new things happen over the past couple of years, but on Tuesday something unprecedented happened once again when Amaura Brandt signed to play basketball for her father, Mike Brandt, at USC Aiken.

Amaura’s signing means that she will become the first USC Aiken women’s basketball student-athlete to play for their parent.

Amaura made her decision to join the Pacers officially at a signing party at Augusta Christian School.

The all-time leading scorer in Augusta Christian history with 1,762 points, Amaura made a school-record 345 3-pointers during her prep career. This past season she set an Augusta Christian single-season record with 82 3-pointers made. The 82 treys left her as the top 3-point shooter in the CSRA.

As a senior in 2011-12, the guard averaged 12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game. She knocked down 72 percent of her free throw attempts.

During her high school career, Amaura claimed numerous athletic and academic achievements. The varsity captain for three years, Amaura was a Wendy’s Heisman State finalist this year. She also earned the WJBF Scholar-Athlete Award in 2011-12.

Amaura will graduate Augusta Christian as the school’s valedictorian.

A four-time South Carolina Independent Schools Association All-Region selection, Amaura was named SCISA All-State twice in her prep career.

“If you take the name away from the player and simply look at her accomplishments both on the floor and off – Amaura is an ideal recruit for our program,” noted Brandt, who will enter his 11th season in charge of USC Aiken women’s basketball in the 2012-13 season. “She fits the mold of an excellent student-athlete that we try to recruit at USCA. Valedictorian of her class, all-time leading scorer, 345 total three pointers made, well-respected by her peers – those are all great attributes. But probably the greatest thrill is going to be able to coach my daughter – something not too many coaches are able to do – for four years. She played for me in her younger AAU days before she reached the ninth grade – so I guess she knows what she is getting into!”

Amaura joins a USC Aiken women’s basketball program guided by her father that has put together the best two-year run in school history over the last two seasons.

The USC Aiken women’s basketball program has won 54 games over the last two seasons. The 54 victories leaves them one game above Lander (53) for the most wins in the state of South Carolina over the last two seasons.

The 2011-12 USC Aiken women’s basketball team concluded its year ranked 12th in the final national poll. It marked the highest-ever final national ranking for the Pacers.

The USC Aiken women’s basketball team was ranked all of the 2011-12 season. It marked the first time in program history that the Pacers went an entire season in the top-25. In the last poll of the regular season on Mar. 6, USC Aiken tied a program high with a national ranking of seventh.

The 2011-12 season saw USC Aiken end the year with a record of 27-4. The four losses were the fewest in school history, while the 27 wins ties the 2010-11 team for most wins in a season. The Pacers’ winning percentage of .871 was also the best in school history.

USC Aiken’s tremendous 2011-12 season was punctuated by the Pacers winning the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Tournament crown. The tournament crown was the first in program history.

The Pacers, who won a school-record 12 straight games at one point during the regular season, would end their phenomenal year by playing host to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional for the first time in school history. The Pacers have now played in three of the last four NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournaments.

Amaura Lyn America Brandt

Wendy Heisman State Finalist  (12th grade)

WJBF Scholar Athlete Award   (12th grade)

SCISA All-Region Basketball   (12th grade)

Heart of a Lion Basketball Award (12th grade) Christian Character Award Basketball (11th grade) SCISA All-Region Basketball (11th grade) SCISA All-State Basketball (11th grade) Varsity Basketball Captain (10th-12th grades) SCISA All-Star Basketball Game (11th grade) H.S.S.R. All-State Basketball Team (11th grade) SCISA All-Region Basketball (10th grade) Most Outstanding Offense Basketball (10th grade)_ SCISA All-State Basketball (10th grade) Augusta Sports Council "Rising Star" (10th grade)

1,000 Point Basketball Club (10th grade) SCISA All-Star Basketball Game (10th grade) AAU Basketball Team Phoenix Select SCISA All-Region Basketball (9th grade) Most Outstanding Offense Basketball SCISA All-Star Basketball game AAU Basketball Team Phoenix Select SCISA All-Region Basketball (8th grade) State All-Tournament team (8th grade)

Records:

Augusta Christian All-Time Leading Scorer              1762

ACS All-Time Leading 3 PT FG made                        345

ACS Individual Season 3 PT FG made (2011-12)        82

ACS Individual Game 3 PT FG made                         8

CSRA Leader 3-PT FG made 2011-2012 Season         82

2011-2012 Stats:

Points Per Game        12.9

Assists Per Game         3.4

Blocks Per Game           .7

Rebounds Per Game    5.4

Steals Per Game           3.3

3 pt. FG %                  41%

Free Throw %             72%

Amaura will also be graduating as the ACS Valedictorian.