April 16, 2008

CATAMOUNT TRACKS PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH KELLIE HARPER

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina Head Women's Basketball Coach Kellie Harper announced today the addition of 5-11 forward/guard Diamond Hunnicutt (Landmark Christian/ Fairburn, Ga.) to the 2008-09 signing class. Hunnicutt is the sixth player Harper has inked for the upcoming season, joining Kaila'Shea Menendez (Wakefield/Raleigh, N.C.), Brittany Ferguson (Westside/Macon, Ga.), Tonquishae Belcher (Concord/Concord, N.C.), Amanda Harshaw (Chamblee / Atlanta, Ga.) and Janae McKinney (Kendrick / Columbus, Ga.).

Hunnicutt averaged 16.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.1 assists per game her senior season at Landmark Christian. She was named to the Atlanta Tipoff Club All-Metro Team and First Team, All-Region and All-State in Georgia. She also ended her career 1,103 points in her career.

"Diamond is a versatile and tremendously athletic small forward," Harper said. "She plays very hard and is very aggressive to the boards and with the ball. Her personality is a great fit with our team and we are so proud to have her in our family."

The Lady Catamount signees have all had successful senior seasons in the respective high schools.

Harshaw's Chamblee High School team finished with a record of 19-7 and fourth in the region. She was a 2008 McDonald's High School All-American nominee and was named her team's 2007-08 Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Belcher helped lead Concord High School to a 3A state title and was also named MVP of the state championship game, voted all-state and North Carolina 3A Player of the Year. Also during the season, she helped her team go undefeated in conference and win the conference championship. Belcher was also named Conference MVP and Region Player of the Year Runner-up.

Menendez was on a Wakefield team that went undefeated in the regular season. They ended the year 31-1, losing in the East Regional Finals to Westover 66-53, after being ranked nationally in prominent polls including USA Today. She was selected all-conference, First Team All-Regional Tournament, First Team All-District and was also named tournament MVP of the Glaxo Welcome National Tournament.

McKinney is also bringing a state title ring to the Lady Cat program. Kendrick won the 3A state title in Georgia and McKinney was named 3A State Player of the Year as well as Region Player of the Year.

Ferguson's Westside Macon Team finished 17-10 and second in their region in Georgia. She was named to the Georgia All-Star team and was also a top runner on her school's cross country team.

Western Carolina will have seven newcomers overall next year as Jessica Jackson sat out the 2007-08 season after transferring from South Florida. The Catamounts have three starters returning from and a total of seven letterwinners.