BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell women's basketball head coach Wanda Watkins revealed her 2013 early signing class that consists of forwards Courtney Best (Raleigh, N.C.), Qua Brown (Hampton, Va.) and Amanda Coffer (Summerfield, N.C.), who signed National Letters of Intent. These players are scheduled to begin classes and compete on the team in the fall of 2013.
"We are really excited about these three new additions coming into our program," said head coach Wanda Watkins. "These student-athletes have all come from great high school and AAU programs and are a going to be great assets to us. They will be great fits not only for our program, but for Campbell University."
Coach Watkins and her staff focused on adding height in this year's class as all three players are 6-1 or taller.
"We felt like it was time to add a little bit of size to our team," said coach Watkins. "Certainly, height is not everything, but these recruits have great size for their positions. They are still very fundamentally sound and have the athleticism that we like in our program."
Best comes to Campbell from Millbrook High School, where she helped the Wildcats coached by Chris East to the 2011-12 North Carolina 4A State Championship. The Raleigh, N.C., native is a two-time Wildcats Most Improved Player and averaged 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals during her sophomore and junior campaigns.
"Courtney is a very versatile player that is quick and agile, allowing her to play in the forward or guard spot," said coach Watkins. "She can play with her back to the basket and brings a wealth of athleticism to our team. She has the same type of build as Kiera Gaines, who is long and lanky, but is able to quickly get up and down the court"
The two-sport athlete also competed on the Millbrook track and field team, participating in the high jump. During the summer, she played with the Carolina Force AAU basketball team and in the Starlight League.
From Hampton, Va., Brown was a dynamic player for head coach Eric Scott at Hampton High School, where she averaged 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game as a junior. The fifth-leading scorer in the Peninsula District received second team and most improved player honors
"The first thing that attracted me to Qua was the heart that she plays with," said coach Watkins. "She is a big post player and really gets after it by throwing her heart and soul into what she is doing. We know that she is going to be a very promising addition to our team."
Brown set a personal best with 26 points against Heritage on Nov. 29, 2011. She is a multi-sport athlete that also competes on the school's track and field team. She is a member of the Boo Williams Summer League (BWSL) and the Lady Vikings.
A product from Northern Guilford High School, Coffer, has aided the Nighthawks to a 66-19 mark entering her senior season and is on pace to set the school's blocks record. Head Coach Kim Furlough coaches that program, where Coffer tallied 11 points, eight rebounds and five blocks per game as a junior.
"Amanda is an inside-outside type of player that has the ability to take a jump shot from three-point territory," said coach Watkins. "She can also go inside, bang down low and play with her back to the basket. She is a player that can play the four or five and add a lot to our program through her versatility."
The Summerfield, N.C., native helped Northern Guilford to the mid-state 3A conference championship and a runner-up finish at sectionals as a sophomore. Coffer is a two-time all-conference honoree (2010-11) and made the 2010 conference all- tournament team.
The Lady Camels are back in action on Friday at 5:15 p.m. against N.C. Central inside Gore Arena/John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center. Fans can follow the action with links to live stats and video on the women's basketball schedule page of GoCamels.com.
Geoquasha "Qua" Brown – 6-1 – F – Hampton, Va. – Hampton
Hampton High School
Plays for head coach Eric Scott at Hampton High School…Averages 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists per game as a junior with the Crabbers…Posted a career-best 26 points on Nov. 29, 2011 against Heritage…Ranked as the fifth leading scorer for the Peninsula District as a junior and named second team All-Peninsula District …Honored as the most improved player in the Peninsula District as a junior…Also competed in track and field…Played with the Boo Williams AAU Summer League (BWSL) and Lady Vikings…Recognized on the school's honor roll.
Amanda Coffer – 6-1 – F – Summerfield, N.C. – Northern Guilford
Northern Guilford High School
Plays for head coach Kim Furlough at Northern Guilford…Earned three letters as the Nighthawks went 66-19 entering her senior campaign…Averaged 11 points, five blocks and eight rebounds per game as a junior…Compiled 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks per game during sophomore campaign…Helped Northern Guilford to conference tournament champions as a freshman and mid-state 3A conference champions and sectional runner-up as a sophomore…two-time all-conference performer (2010-11) and an all-tournament honoree (2010)…56 blocks away from the Nighthawks career blocks record entering senior season.
Courtney Best – 6-1 – F – Raleigh, N.C. – Millbrook
Millbrook High School
Plays for head coach Thomas East at Millbrook High School…Averaged 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals during sophomore and junior campaign…As a freshman, compiled 16 points, seven boards and three steals on the junior varsity squad…Aided the Wildcats to the 2011-12 N.C. 4A State Championship and earned Cup 8 and Eastern Regional Championships along the way…Captured Glaxo, Conference and Easter Regional Championships as a sophomore…Honored as a two-time team's most improved player (2010-11)…Competed with the Carolina Force AAU team and played in the Starlight League…A two-sport athlete that lettered in Track and Field, participating in the high jump…Received honor roll recognition throughout academic career.
