AASU Women's Basketball Signs Four for 2008-09

SAVANNAH, Ga. (December 11) - Head coach Roger Hodge and the Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball team announced the signing of four players to play for the Lady Pirates during the early signing period. Guard Crystal Bazemore, forwards Angela Carter and Brittany Wiley and center Lindsey Hill will all join the AASU women's basketball program for 2008-09.

"I'm happy to add these four players to the Lady Pirate program for 2008-09," Hodge said. "We strongly feel this group is a perfect compliment to what we will have returning to our program next season with a good mix of shooters, athletes and positions."

Bazemore is a 5-9 guard from Gordon, Ga., and is in her senior season with John Milledge Academy. As a junior, Bazemore averaged 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 53 percent from the floor, a school-record 40 percent from three-point range and a school-record 82 percent from the free throw line. She is a two-time All-Conference and All-State performer for the Trojans.

"Crystal is an outstanding student, a person of great character and a lights-out shooter," Hodge said. "There is no question in my mind that she will be an outstanding representative of AASU and Lady Pirate Basketball. She also comes from a winning program and a super coach in Lori Hines."

Wiley is a 5-11 forward from Carrollton, Ga., and is in her senior season at Carrollton HS, the same high school as current Lady Pirate player Jemere McCurty. A team captain as a junior, Wiley was an All-Region performer, averaging 12 points, five rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.7 assists per game while making 50 three-point field goals. She has helped Carrollton HS to back-to-back region championships and Elite 8 appearances.

"We have had our eye on Brittany for a couple of years now as her team has attended our camps," Hodge said. "She plays for a tremendous coach in Shon Thomaston and is a former teammate of current Lady Pirate Jemere McCurty. She is also used to winning as during her three years, Carrollton HS has won 76 games while losing only 13. Quite frankly, we feel like we "stole one" in signin Brittany. She is very athletic, can play basically any position, is a very good defender, can handle the ball, shoot the three and take it to the basket. I believe that Brittany will have huge contributions to Lady Pirate Basketball during her four years here."

Hill is a 6-1 center from Weatherford, Texas, and is in her senior year at Weatherford HS. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year for Eagles, Hill averaged 6.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a junior and is also an outstanding soccer and volleyball player.

"Lindsey fits our system perfectly in that she is a post player who is athletic and versatile," Hodge said. "She is also a solid student and person who will fit in well with the caliber of character that you find in our current players. Mike Miller has done a good job developing her skills and we are confident that Lindsey will have an outstanding career for the Lady Pirates."

Carter is a 5-9 forward from Longview, Texas, who initially played at the University of Missouri in the 2001-02 season, where she averaged 3.4 ppg and 2.3 rpg as a junior for the Tigers. She was an All-Red River Conference selection at Huston-Tillson University, averaging 15 points and 8 rebounds per game in 2005. She was a first-team All-State performer as a senior at Spring Hill HS, avearging 26.6 points and 12 rebounds per game.

"Angela discontinued her career prematurely to join the military at Ft. Stewart," Hodge said. "She has played at a very high level, previously. After seeing her in person and determining that she has a year of eligibility left, it was an easy decision to ask her to join our program. Angela brings maturity and experience as well as a great talent to our team. She is an impact player and we are looking forward to her becoming a part of the Lady Pirate family next season.

The Lady Pirates are currently 5-2 on the season and are in the middle of Fall semester final exams. AASU returns to action on Tuesday, December 18, as the Lady Pirates host Queens (NC) at 6:00 p.m. in the 2007 Chatham Orthopedics Holiday Classic.