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 WCU women's basketball signs two more to National Letters of Intent. |
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April 26, 2004
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's basketball program adds two more to its incoming freshman class as Monique Dawson (Charlotte, N.C.) and Jessika Johnson (Riverdale, Ga.) have each signed National Letters of Intent to join the Catamount squad for the 2004-05 season. The duo completes Western's roster and the rookie class as Leah Barrier (Morganton, N.C.), Chevon Keith (Wallace, N.C.), Christi Mannino (Norcross, Ga.), Ashley Pellom (Wilmington, N.C.) and Kacy Thompson (Douglasville, Ga.) all signed with WCU last November.
Dawson, a 5-7 guard, is set to graduate from Zebulon B. Vance HS in Charlotte this spring, currently holding a 3.25 grade point average. Dawson was a three-year varsity letter-winner and a captain during her sophomore and senior seasons at Vance HS. She was additionally a two-time all-conference honoree and two-time co-MVP of her team. Dawson led her team to the 4-A State Championship game during her junior campaign after finishing as the regional champions that year. Her other honors include being a second team All-Mecklenburg County selection as a senior and receiving the Coaches Award from her HS team as a junior. In her final year at Vance, Dawson averaged 17 points, five assists and four steals per game.
Johnson, a 6-2 post player, led her 2003-04 squad at Riverdale HS to the Sweet 16 at the State tournament after finishing as the region champions. As a senior, Johnson averaged 12 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game, receiving the team's Defensive Player of the Year award as well as the Coaches Award. Riverdale additionally finished as region champs during Johnson's freshman and junior seasons while making it to the State Elite Eight in the 2002-03 season. As a junior, Johnson was named All-State honorable mention, all-region first team and all-conference first team. She also received her team's Rebound Award for averaging 8.6 boards per game during the 2002-03 season.
The Lady Catamounts will be celebrating 40 years of WCU women's basketball during the upcoming 2004-05 season and will be led by newly appointed head coach Kellie Harper. Harper will look to lead the Cats back to the Southern Conference championship game for the second consecutive year in hopes of winning the program's first ever conference title. The freshman class of seven will join a returning core of eight, which include seniors Shaketia Barnes, Jennifer Gardner, Ki-Ki Glass, Sigita Maleraite, Lori Tanner and Summer Thagard, junior Teyawna Hardy and sophomore Erin May.
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