BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Campbell head women's basketball coach Wanda Watkins announced the signing of North Carolina standouts Jessica Pone (High Point, N.C./Southwest Guilford HS) and Jewell Yarborough (Creedmoor, N.C./South Granville HS) Thursday, who will join the Lady Camels as freshman next season.
"We are excited about these young ladies joining our program next year. They will represent us well as quality athletes, students and individuals," said Watkins.
Pone led Southwest Guilford to the 4A State Championship as the title game's MVP last season. The 5-foot-9 guard also earned all-state and all-conference honors as a junior. Pone was named her team's most improved player and was named a Flow Athlete of the Week.
"JP will be a great addition to our program," said Watkins. "She has been an important part of Coach Jessica Bryan's successful Southwest Guilford tradition. She has speed, quickness, can defend and can slash as well as score on the perimeter. She can potentially play the point, two or three spots with her good size and leaping ability. Her versatility along with her basketball IQ and athleticism will be an asset to our team."
The High Point, N.C. native averaged 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 2010-11, adding 3.1 assists and 2.7 steals.
Yarborough, a 5-foot-11 forward, earned all-conference honors last season at South Granville High. The Creedmoor, N.C. native was her team's leading scorer at 12.7 points per game, picking up the spiritual leadership award.
"Jewell is a player who possesses a tremendous work ethic," said Watkins. "She is a go-getter. She has the potential to play in the three or four spot for us with her good range, passing skills and ability to play with her back to the basket. She takes the game to heart and will continue to get better and better with the value she places on practice. She is a natural rebounder and has good physical strength already as a high school player."
Yarborough added 7.6 rebounds per contest as a junior. The forward was named the team's captain again this season after serving in the same capacity last year.
The Lady Camels will kick off the 2011-12 season on Saturday, Nov. 12 at home against Montreat. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. in Gore Arena.
