ELON COLLEGE, NC -- Elon College head women's basketball coach Brenda Paul announced Wednesday the signing of three players to National Letters of Intent. The Fightin' Christians, who finished 14-15 in their first official NCAA Division I campaign last season, will welcome the following student-athletes into the program this fall:
HOLLY ANDREWS, a 5-9 guard from Hudson, NC, led coach Jeff Parham's South Caldwell High School squad to a 29-2 record, a 26-game winning streak, the 3-A Western Foothills Conference regular season and tournament championships, a second consecutive NCHSAA 3-A Western sectional title and a regional runner-up finish last season. The school's all-time leading scorer with 1,660 points, Andrews helped South Caldwell to an 88-27 slate and four playoff appearances during her prep career.
A USA Today honorable mention selection and North Carolina East/West All-Star, Andrews earned Western Foothills Conference Player of the Year and Tournament MVP accolades last season. The three-time all-conference honoree and two-time Caldwell County Player of the Year was also chosen to the 3-A Western Regional Team during her senior campaign. Andrews was also tabbed the Unifour Player of the Year, the Catawba River All-Star Shoot-Out MVP and the Lincoln Bank Holiday Classic MVP (for the second-straight year) this past season. Her team honored her with its Best Offensive Player award twice and with its Coach's Award once.
On the strength of 85 double-digit scoring performances, she averaged 14.4 points per game for her career. As a senior, she averaged 19.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 3.0 steals per contest.
"Holly is an aggressive, attacking offensive player," said Paul. "She is very comfortable with the ball in her hands. She makes good things happen and is tough to defend."
COURTNEY NYBORG, a 6-5 center from Apex, NC, helped coach William Powell's Southeast Raleigh High School team to a conference crown the past two years and the 1998-99 NCHSAA 4-A state championship. As a senior, Nyborg averaged 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots per game on her way to all-conference and team MIP recognition.
"Courtney has made huge strides in her game over the last year and has unlimited potential," said Paul. "She has a soft touch around the basket and natural timing for blocking shots on defense. She is agile with good footwork."
RASALYNN JONES, a 5-8 wing from Townville, SC, paced coach Tim Wood's Pendleton High School program to a 20-9 mark (9-1 in the region), the I-AA region championship and a South Carolina upper-state runner-up finish last season. The second-year team captain and two-time team MVP averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 5.1 steals as a senior.
This past season, Jones was honored as the Region I-AA Player of the Year, the Daily Journal/Messenger Player of the Year and the Anderson Independent Player of the Year. The SCBCA All-State selection and SCACA North All-Star was tabbed to the Region I-AA All-Region Team (for a third-straight season), the Battle of the States All-Tournament Team, the Daily Journal/Messenger All-Area Team and the Anderson Independent All-Area Team.
"Rasalynn allows the game to come to her," said Paul. "She has explosive offensive skills with a quick three-point shot." The AA Miss Basketball finalist currently holds her school's single-game records for points (33), steals (11) and three-point field goals (seven).
"We are very excited to have signed a class of this quality in talented players, team leaders, as well as outstanding character," said Paul. "They bring proven championship experience from excellent high school programs. We look for them to play important roles in our quest for the Big South Conference title."
--ELON--
