Women's Basketball - Looking Ahead

There’s a lot of excitement about the women’s basketball program at JSU. Coach Annette Watts and her coaching staff, Dee Bell, Matt Couvillion, and Shaneka Bates, have the Gamecock Nation talking about hopes for next season. Why? It was evident the team had lots of growth and learning this season.

We’ll lose Danielle Beneby and Candice Carmine, both seniors. Both were major contributors. Beneby scored 9.3 points per game and led the team in assists with 3.7 per game. Candice Carmine scored 4.3 points and had 3.9 rebounds per game. Together, they played over 45 minutes per game and provided leadership to the team. They will be missed.

So what will the team look like next season? We’ll have the leading scorer and leading rebounder back. Brittany Wiley led the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game. Danielle Vaughn, with 7.9 rebounds per game, was the team’s leading rebounder. Vaughn also led the team with 30 blocks on the season.

Who have we signed? Glad you asked. Here is a brief intro to those we have signed so far, along with a comment from Coach Watts:

Kaitlynn Pacholke – G – Tampa, Fla. (Freedom HS)

Closed out her prep career by reaching the career 1,000-point mark in her final high school game as the FHS Patriots’ season came to a close … The 5-4 guard ended her high school career with 1,007 points with 12 points in the Class 5A region quarterfinals … Pacholke, who played for her mother, averaged 15.4 points, 8.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 5.4 steals for FHS as a senior … Helped lead FHS to the 5A-9 District Championship … Selected to the FABC All-Star game along with being nominated as a McDonald’s All-American … Scored in double figures in every game as a senior except for four contests, including four 20-plus games … She tallied a season-best 27 points against Hillsborough in December.

Watts on Pacholke –
“Quick, smart point guard whose mother is her high school coach. I love signing coaches daughters … They have a high basketball IQ and understand the game. Kaitlynn is a leader and a true point guard.”

Gia Banks – G – Loganville, Ga.(Walnut Grove HS)

Plays for head coach Kirk Call at Walnut Grove High School … Has scored over 1,000 points in her high school career … Named MVP of the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic after posting 18 points in the title game … Banks helped her squad to 19 straight wins to begin the season and a No. 4 ranking in the state of Georgia before bowing out of the high school state tournament to Troup County.

Watts on Banks –
“Gia has a nice combination of size, athleticism and skills. This 5-10 guard is a tough
Match up for defenders. In the paint she has the strength to finish or get to the free throw line. Out on perimeter, she can make the 3-pointer or score a mid-range jumper.”

Miranda Cantrell – F – College Park, Ga. (North Clayton HS)

Named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s All-Metro Second Team as a junior … Named All-Region 4-AAAA her junior season and honored by 4shot.com as an All-Star … Averaged a double-double as a senior with 14.2 points per game along with pulling down 15 rebounds per contest … Helped guide NCHS to the state tournament after posting a 15-6 mark on the season … She ranked second in the region in scoring and led Region 4-AAAA in rebounds with 15.9 per game.

Watts on Cantrell –
“An excellent student in the classroom, Miranda will be called upon to be a dominant force on the blocks for us. She has a great touch around the basket and a nose for rebounding. Her potential is limited only by what she’s willing to do.”

Briana Morrow – F - Nashville, Tenn. (Glencliff HS)

A versatile player who can play inside and out … Prepped at Glencliff High School in the Nashville, Tenn. area … Averaged 23 points as a senior and pulled down seven boards per contest … Also a member of the GHS volleyball squad … Morrow recently scored 33 of GHS’ 47 points in the District 12-AAA consolation game … Posted 26 points, including the game-winning lay up against Antioch in the 12-AAA quarterfinals.

Watts on Morrow
“A versatile post player who finishes around the basket. Brianna has played at the highest level with her AAU team and understands winning. She has quickness and guard skills – both coveted skills for a post player.”

Briaunna Buckner – G - Chesterfield, Mich. (Detroit King HS)

An active participant on the AAU circuit as a member of The Family squad, which participated in the Division II national tournament, finishing 17th ... Averaged 8.3 points per game as a junior along with grabbing 9.5 boards per contest…Connected on 56 percent from the field … Made Hoops Talent.com’s list of top players from the state of Michigan.

Watts on Buckner
“Brianna is a mult-dimensional guard who can slash and drain the 3-point shot. Her work ethic is solid and her energy is just what this team needs”

There are other players looking to be added. There is possibility of adding a Juco player into the mix.

We’re looking forward to seeing next year’s team. There are very good days ahead for JSU Women’s Basketball!