Lady Camel Basketball Adds Four Signees to 2001-02 Roster

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Kendra Damman (Metamora, OH / Evergreen HS), Vakara Forrest (Gloucester, VA / Gloucester HS), Sarah Fox (Kings Mill, OH / Kings Mill HS) and Chantel Martin (Biscoe, NC / East Montgomery HS) have signed grants-in-aid during the late signing period with the Campbell University women’s basketball team, announced head coach Wanda Watkins today. They join early signees LaTisha Patterson (Belews Creek, NC / East Forsyth HS) and Kristin Vuckovich (Cary, NC / Cary HS) on the 2001-02 Lady Camel roster.
“We are extremely excited about our class of incoming freshmen. They will be outstanding additions to our program and institution,” said Watkins. “They are a talented group of overachievers that will bring a wealth of versatility to our team.”
A 5-7 guard, Damman earned first team all-league honors three seasons under coach Dan English at Evergreen. She was also voted the district seven Player of the Year twice and the Northwest Ohio Player of the Year. The former all-state first team selection established a new school record for most points in a game and a season. Damman was a member of several club teams, including the Northcoast Roadrunners that finished 13^th in the nation. Off the court, she served on the National Honor Society and was a three-time scholar athlete.
“Kendra will enhance our guard play because she shoots well off the dribble and drive and has good three point range,” said Watkins. “Her ball-handling skills are exceptional and she has the potential to play either the one or two spot for us, but will probably be a shooting guard because of her scoring ability.”
Forrest was a four-time first team all-district selection while under coach Jon Hatch. She was also a Peninsula District All-Tournament selection each of her four years while leading Gloucester to the district championships in 1998. That year the 5-10 guard/forward garnered tournament MVP honors and was a second team regional honoree. A three-sport standout, Forrest was a member of several school organizations and served as Student Council Class President during the 1997-98 year. She was also a member of the Boo Williams AAU Summer League Basketball program.
“Vakara will be a player who has lots of versatility. Because of her ball-handling and ability to see the floor, she can play the guard spot,” said Watkins. “Due to her strength she is also capable of banging inside. She is a true slasher with lots of athletic ability.”
Fox, a 6-0 forward, concludes her career at Kings as the all-time leading scorer. Under coach Katie Moeller, the reigning conference Player of the Year also earned team MVP honors three years and was a first team all-city selection her junior and senior seasons. She also garnered honorable mention all-state those years. As a member of the Hardwood Heat AAU team, she helped guide the squad to the state and national championships in 2000.
“Sarah is a versatile player who plays well inside and outside. She has good perimeter range and also posts with her back to the basket,” said Watkins. “She comes to us as an outstanding scorer with a comprehensive understanding of the game.”
Martin is a 5-6 guard who was three-time all-conference and two-time league Player of the Year under coaches Erie Greene and Mark Miller. She was also voted team MVP three times as well as the school’s Female Athlete of the Year. She averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a senior. Martin was a member of the National Honor Society and was a scholar athlete.
“Chantel is a quick and athletic guard. She has exceptional passing skills and makes others around her better with her ability to thread the needle,” said Watkins. “She also is a good scorer on the perimeter and a definite three-point threat. She also anticipates well and is a solid defender.”
The 2000-01 Lady Camels earned their first-ever number one seed at the SunTrust Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament and advanced to the championship game for the second year in a row. They defeated Samford (79-58) and Troy State (84-55) before losing a tight 64-62 title game to Georgia State.
Campbell concluded the season with a 22-7 overall ledger and a 16-2 league mark. Those 16 TAAC wins was a program record for most TAAC wins and all-time conference wins. CU also set a new record for longest conference winning streak (13) in a year. They won 20 straight games against TAAC opponents that dated back to last February, setting yet another school record for consecutive league victories.
Watkins was named the Coach of the Year, while junior April Cromartie and freshman Crystal Clary earned Player and Freshman of the Year honors, respectively. Cromartie was also an All-TAAC First Team selection for the second year in a row. Clary was joined on the second team by seniors Sara Moore and Janice Washington.