Friday, May 25, 2007

SIX COMMIT TO TUSCULUM WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Six student-athletes have committed to attend Tusculum College and play basketball for the Pioneers announced TC women's coach Missy Tiber. Joining the Pioneers this fall are Jasmine Gunn, Nikki Van Dine, Jasmine Parker, Debra Wilcox, Chloe Obasogie and Jennifer Wilson.

Gunn, a 5-0 point guard from Nashville, Tenn., played her prep career at Antioch High School for Coach Mary Beth Combs. She was named to the Associated Press All-State Team this past season where she averaged 15.3 points, 2.5 assists and four steals per game. Gunn shot 52.3 percent from the floor, including 39 percent from three-point territory. She also shot 73.7 percent at the free throw line and was tabbed to the Tennessean Mid-State Third Team.

Gunn was a two-time All-Region selection and All-District pick, including 2006 when she was named the District 12-AAA Tournament Most Valuable Player. She led Antioch to three District titles and two Region Tournament appearances.

"Jasmine is an exciting playmaker," said Tiber. "I saw her play for five minutes and knew we had to have her on our team. She's small, but has a great ability to score from the point position. She comes from a great high school program that runs an up and down, intense, but disciplined style similar to what we do. Jasmine will bring a lot of intensity and heart to the court and we are excited to have her at Tusculum."

Van Dine, a 5-10 forward from Columbus, Ohio, averaged 12.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game at Owens Community College last season where she was a Second Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference standout. She shot 47.3 percent from the field, including a sizzling 46.5 percent from beyond the arc as Owens posted a 20-11 record and won the league championship with a 12-2 conference mark. Van Dine finished seventh in the nation in three-point percentage (NJCAA).

During her prep career at Westland High School, she was a two-time All-Conference pick and was named the league's player of the year. Coached by Hugo Quint, Van Dine's team won the OCC Conference title during her sophomore year, the school's first league championship.

"One of our main goals was to get a forward that could shoot the three," added Tiber. "Nikki should create match-up problems because of her height and ability to shoot from long range. Her experience in leading her junior college team to a conference championship will be a great asset to us. She has proven that she can succeed at this level already and I know she will make a smooth transition to our style and program."

Parker, a Rex, Ga. product, comes to Tusculum after a stellar playing career at Morrow High School in Morrow, Ga. The 5-8 guard was last season's Region 4-AAAAA Player of the Year as she was mentored by Yolanda Jenkins. The First Team All-County pick scored over 1,000 points during her prep career, while knocking down 86 three-point field goals, including 46 during her sophomore season.

"Jasmine Parker is just a smooth player," Tiber said. "She's our sleeper for this class and I think she is going to be a great player at this level. She understands the game and can player either the point or at the two guard. Jasmine came to our tryout, didn't miss a shot and was making great plays from the guard spot. She has great length and can elevate over defenders. She also comes from a successful high school team and knows what it takes to win."

Wilcox, a 5-10 forward from Mount Barker, Australia, is transferring to Tusculum from Belmont Abbey College. Wilcox was signed by Tiber during her final season (2004-05) at the helm of the Crusaders' program before coming to Tusculum. During the 2004-05 campaign, Wilcox led the team with 3.5 steals per game, which were 18^th in NCAA Division II. She averaged 10.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as Belmont Abbey posted a 22-8 record.

She attended Mount Barker High School where she was coached by Rod Thompson. Wilcox captained her team to a state championship in 2003 and was a District Team honoree every season she played at Mount Barker.

"I'm very familiar with Deb and I'm so happy she'll be playing for us again. She ended up starting for us the year I coached her at Belmont Abbey and I know she's a proven player at the Division II level. She was a game changer for us before and I'm sure she will be that same type player here. Deb can play all over the floor and she will also give us some added experience at the guard/forward slot."

Obasogie, a 5-9 guard from Cincinnati, Ohio, played at Clark Montessori High School for prep coach Rick Hosea. She was a rebounding machine during her prep career as she averaged 12.7 boards per game. She was a two-time First Team All-League selection and was a two-time All-District Honorable Mention choice. Her team finished as sectional finalist last year and won the Conference title every season she was at Clark Montessori. She also lettered in soccer and was an All-League runner in track.

"I saw Chloe play for the first time last summer and she impressed me right away. The first thing you see from Chloe is her passion and intensity for the game. She loves basketball and all she wants to do is play and get better. She has a contagious attitude and her best years as a player are ahead of her. I know she will be a great player at Tusculum and she has great athleticism, and a knack for getting every rebound."

Wilson, a 5-10 guard from Seymour, Tenn., averaged 10 points, four rebounds, three steals, three assists and two blocks per game at Seymour High School. She garnered All-
Region honors the last two seasons and was an All-District pick in 2007. Her junior squad was Sub-State Champions and advanced to the State Tournament, while last year's club won the District crown for prep coach Randy Moore.

"Jennifer is another player we got we were fortunate to get at our tryout. She fits our style of play perfectly. She also has great size for a guard and an ability to get her shot off over smaller players. Jennifer has a very pretty shot and can nail it from three. She'll push the other guards, because she plays hard and doesn't mind physical play."

Tusculum posted a 16-13 record last season, while advancing to the semifinal of the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament. TC tallied its second straight winning season and returns the team's leading scorer and All-SAC pick Ashli Oliver.

"We really wanted to go after players that were on successful teams," added Tiber. "All the girls that have signed have been part of winning teams and in some cases, championship teams. These kids know how to win and have winning mentalities. We need that from our players to get to the next level."

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of eight colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

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