Clayton State Rounds Out Recruiting Class With Two Transfers

MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State head women’s basketball coach Dennis Cox completed the Lakers’ 2009-10 recruiting class by filling two key needs for the program.

First, he landed the point guard that he has been missing in a while with the signing of Genesis Kelly from Hillsborough Community College in Tampa. Second, Cox added more depth with the announcement that forward Timethia Bennett will transfer to Clayton State from fellow NCAA Division II program Lincoln Memorial.

That brings the final total of the 2009-10 recruiting class for Clayton State women’s basketball to seven. Kelly and Bennett join the current group compiled of forward LaDe’sha Stoudamire from Arkansas State, forward/guard Ashley Aker from Truett-McConnell, forward/center Breanna Fort from Central Florida Community College, guard Latonda Bruce from Daytona State College and forward/guard Teshymia Tillman from Guilford Tech.

They join a Clayton State program coming off an impressive 26-7 mark in 2008-09, advancing to the NCAA Division II “Elite Eight.”

The 5-foot-6 Kelly lettered one season each at Florida CC-Jacksonville and at Hillsborough from 2006-08.

During her freshman season at FCC-Jacksonville, she averaged eight points, two assists and two rebounds a game, while shooting 46 percent from the field. However, Kelly came alive during her sophomore season at Hillsborough, garnering FCCAA All-Southern Conference honors, Southern Conference Player of the Year and NJCAA All-Region honors in the process.

She averaged 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals a game, while shooting 37 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range for head coach Tommy Jones at Hillsborough. A native of Fort Pierce, Fla., Kelly was ranked seventh in the state of Florida amongst the Top 40 prep seniors as a standout at Jensen Beach High School.

“Genesis is the point guard that we wanted in last season’s recruiting class, and I couldn’t be happier that she has come to us after sitting out last year,” said Cox, 125-37 in five seasons at the Clayton State helm. “She is a true point guard that we’ve needed for several seasons here at Clayton State. She is a floor general that does a lot of things well. I believe she has the ability to enhance the abilities of all of our athletes on the wing and inside.

“This signing is the classic case of ‘good things come to those who wait’.”

This will be a homecoming of sorts for the 5-9 Bennett, who will be a sophomore this season at Clayton State. She is a native of nearby Riverdale and a former prep standout at Mundy’s Mill High School. This past season at Lincoln Memorial under head coach Stephanie Smith, Bennett averaged two points and two rebounds a game, while shooting 44 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line.

Playing for head coach Lonnie Farmer at Mundys Mill, Bennett was a two-time All-Region selection and Region 4AAAAA Player of the Year as a senior. She helped pace Mundy’s Mill to the program’s first ever region championship during her senior season in 2008.

“It was a nice surprise for us that Timethia decided to come back home to Clayton State,” Cox said. “We recruited her last year at Mundy’s Mill, so we are very familiar with her character and abilities. She will be a nice fit in our up-tempo, pressing style of play. She is very athletic, explosive and can jump out of the gym.

“We look forward to carving out a niche for her this year.”