NCHSAA releases list of top 100 female athletes

CHAPEL HILL—As part of the celebration of the centennial of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the NCHSAA has released the third list of its “100 To Remember” series.
            The list of “100 To Remember: Female Athletes” highlights one hundred of the top female athletes in NCHSAA history.  A special committee, including school administrators and coaches from across the state as well as sports media, put together the list in a series of meetings.
            Many people made nominations for the lists on the NCHSAA web site. Association records and archives were also consulted, as well as members of the committee offering names for discussion.
            “Coming up with a list of ‘100 To Remember’ was a tremendous challenge,” said Davis Whitfield, commissioner of the NCHSAA. “So many individuals have participated, coached or been involved with the rich history and tradition of the first 100 years of the NCHSAA. This group of distinguished individuals not only served their schools, school systems and communities in an exceptional fashion, but our Association as well.”
            During the 2013 year in which the 100th anniversary is celebrated by the NCHSAA, four “100 To Remember” lists will be released. The first involved administrators, including athletic directors, principals, superintendents or others involved with the administration of athletics at a local or statewide level. The second list was the coaches, followed by female athletes. The male athletes list will be the final one released.
 The development of the lists and the discussions certainly fit in with the slogan for the centennial: “Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present and Shaping the Future.”
All of the 100th anniversary lists will be posted in the NCHSAA website under the special 100th portal.

 NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION


100 TO REMEMBER – Female Athletes


Angie Armstrong                                                          Fike
            Standout women’s basketball player at Wilson Fike in the late 1970’s…member of the victorious East squad for the 1979 N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-star game, and was named most outstanding player in 87-82 victory…holds the all-star game record in North Carolina for points scored with 33 points in ’79…went on to play collegiately at North Carolina State...shot 56.9 percent from floor for her four year-career from 1980 through ‘83…had 608 assists (4.8 per game) for career, among top five in ACC history.

Katrelle Armwood                                      Durham School of Arts
          Former three-sport star at Durham School of the Arts…led her team to a 1-A state volleyball championship and was named MVP…also a former Tar Roanoke Conference Player of the Year for volleyball…won several state championships in outdoor track, including the triple jump, 300 meter intermediate hurdles,100 meter high hurdles and long jump…averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 steals for her basketball career…named the NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year in 2002.

Laquanda Barksdale                                               West Forsyth
          Standout basketball performer at the high school, collegiate and professional levels...also lettered in volleyball and track and field in high school...two-time conference player of the year in high school (1996 & ‘97) and also achieved All-American status at West Forsyth…named as a first-team All-American while playing at the University of North Carolina (2000, ‘01), and was the 12th overall pick (Portland Fire) in the 2001 WNBA Draft… serves as the women’s basketball coach at her high school alma mater.

Eva Baucom                                                             Forest Hills
          Excelled in tennis, basketball, soccer and softball during her four years at Forest Hills…earned multiple all-conference honors in tennis, and was also an outstanding point guard earning all-county honors in basketball…additionally was named all-conference three times for softball, where she caught over 90 games consecutively at one point in her career…received the Pat Best Memorial Trophy for being named the female Athlete of the Year by the NCHSAA in 2004.


Genia Beasley                                                    South Johnston
            Outstanding basketball competitor at the high school and collegiate level, and a pioneer for women’s basketball…led South Johnston to a state championship in her sophomore year…one of legendary coach Kay Yow’s most revered recruits and led N.C.State to win ACC’s first ever regular season championship for women’s basketball…among top career scorers amongst both male and female basketball players at NC State, averaging 18.5 points and 9.7 rebounds during a 128-game collegiate career…earned all-ACC Tournament accolades three times and also helped capture the school’s first ever ACC Tournament crown in 1980, when she was the tournament MVP… named a Kodak All-American.

Chante Black                                                        East Forsyth
          Renowned basketball player at East Forsyth and at Duke University, who is now thriving at the WNBA level…averaged 19.8 points, 16.3 rebounds, 4.8 blocks and 4.2 assists as a senior at East Forsyth and was named state Gatorade Player of the Year as well as a third team USA Today All-American and a third team Parade All-American…also was a finalist for the Naismith Prep Basketball Player of the Year…had outstanding four-year athletic career at Duke, capping it off with AP Third Team All-America honors and being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year…selected with the 10th overall pick by the Connecticut Sun in the 2009 WNBA Draft.

Jessica Botzum                                                Cardinal Gibbons
            Phenomenal swimmer who excelled at the high school and collegiate levels…the Wayne, NJ native has been most successful in breaststroke and individual medley competitions…during high school career finished 10th at the 2004 US Olympic Trials in the 200 breaststroke and fourth at the US summer nationals in the 2004 breaststroke…also the YMCA summer national meet record holder in the 200 breaststroke…multiple All-American honors at Virginia Tech and back-to-back ACC Swimmer of the Year winner (2007, ’08)…the first male or female Hokie swimmer to earn ACC Swimmer of the Year honors.

Cissy Bristol-Dyer                                                         Andrews
            Remarkable high school basketball player in the late 1970’s…played on Andrews’ 1977 women’s basketball state championship team and was leading scorer… was the first Andrews female athlete to get a full athletic scholarship, and was one of the first women in the Smoky Mountain Conference to play at a Division I school…earned All-ACC honors in basketball at Clemson in 1979…member of Andrews High’s inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2009…has been successful high school basketball coach.

Tresa Brown                                                               Sanderson
            Former Sanderson and Garner basketball player who was known for dominating on both ends of the court… transferred to Sanderson as a junior after leading the Garner Trojans to the NCHSAA state title as a sophomore… Brown led Spartans to the Cap Eight Conference regular season and tournament crowns as team finished with a 28-1 overall record in her senior year…averaged 19.1 points and 9.1 rebounds and earned All-American honors in her final high school season…played in 121 games over four years at UNC and was named the ACC Player of the Year in 1984…scored 1,931 points in college and is in top ten all-time at UNC in field goal percentage, scoring, and total rebounds, among others…played pro ball overseas.

Madison Bugg                                                   Cardinal Gibbons
            Was one of the top high school volleyball players in the country while at Cardinal Gibbons…integral in helping Gibbons win the 2009, 2010 and 2011 NCHSAA 3-A state volleyball championships and was the Most Valuable Player in title match twice…standout member of the 2010 United States U-19 national team and the U.S. Girls Youth Olympic team that played in Singapore…North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year in 2009 and 2011…now competing as a key member of the Stanford volleyball team.

Christy Cagle                                                  Hayesville
          Helped team win four straight 1-A NCHSAA state basketball championships (1988-’91) while at Hayesville…was the first player in North Carolina history to start in four consecutive state title games…averaged 24.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 6.6 steals per game during her senior season and was named the AP women’s high school basketball player of the year in NC…compiled more than 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds, 600 assists and 375 steals overall during her terrific high school career…1991 winner of Pat Best award as NCHSAA’s top female athlete.

Karen Clayton                                                    Broughton
          Competed in volleyball, softball, soccer and basketball during four-year career at Broughton High, but was most notable for achievements through soccer and basketball...played goalie on the 1992 4-A state title team in soccer and also was a leading athlete on ‘90 4-A state runner-up women’s basketball team…also earned All-American honors for basketball in 1992 and was a two-time conference player of the year…poured in 2,343 career points, Broughton’s all-time leader…competed at the University of Iowa for four years and made it to the NCAA Final Four as a freshman…member Broughton High School Hall of Fame.

Nina Cloaninger                                           East Mecklenburg
          Standout student-athlete at East Mecklenburg in the early 1970’s and is one of the most successful and outstanding tennis players in the history of North Carolina high school athletics…captured three straight NCHSAA women’s tennis state championships in singles (1971, 1972(Spring), 1972(Fall) in early years of women’s championships…went on to have a phenomenal career playing for UNC…qualified for national AIAW tournament as Tar Heel…has also won several USTA state closed tennis championships in doubles since her collegiate career ended.


Molly Colvard                                                    Nathan’s Creek
          Amazing basketball player at Nathan’s Creek in the early 1950’s and definitively the most productive player in the history of women’s high school basketball in NC… scored 5,048 total points in her career, all during an era when girls utilized six starting players on each team…racked up a scoring average of 65 points per game during her senior year in 1956…amazingly, Colvard made 39 of 40 shots from the field in one game and scored 92 points in another.

Sheilah Cotten                                                Fuquay-Varina
                  A 1971 graduate of Fuquay-Varina who excelled on the basketball court and softball field…went on to attend East Carolina University and scored 1,152 points during her ECU career and led the Pirates to an 18-2 record as a senior…first female inducted into the ECU Sports Hall of Fame…coached softball, men’s tennis and volleyball at Louisburg College…member of the National Junior College Athletic Association Softball Hall of Fame with a 516-293 coaching record…Louisburg’s softball facility is now named in Cotten’s honor.

Laura Cottrell                                                             Hayesville
          Standout basketball star at Hayesville in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s, who went on to lead the Clemson women at the college level…racked up 2,088 career points in high school and is 11th on the all-time career rebounding list with 1,245…winner of four straight NCHSAA state championships as a part of the Hayesville women’s teams that won six straight titles between 1988 and 1993…MVP of the state championship game in her junior year…earned all-ACC honors at Clemson and had over 1,000 points and 800 rebounds…’96 ACC Tournament MVP…has been assistant coach at college level as well as high school head coach.

April Cromartie                                                    Clinton/Union
            Four-year starter at Union High who went on to excel at Campbell University as well…amassed a record of 102-8 during her prep career and racked up over 1,000 points and rebounds… scored a championship record 48 points and pulled down 18 rebounds as Union finished the year with a perfect 28-0 mark and took NCHSAA state title in 1998…selected to the N.C. Coaches Association East-West All Star game in 1998…14th player in Campbell history to break 1,000-point barrier…led Campbell to NCAA tournament and was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of Year in 2002.

Karen Curtis                                                                Cary
                  A former outstanding basketball player at Cary High in the early 1990’s…Most Valuable Player of 1993 NCHSAA state 4-A basketball final on a team that went 29-1…enjoyed an outstanding four-year career at High Point University before going on to play professionally in Europe for multiple seasons…returned to her high school alma mater in 2000 to begin her coaching career…appointed as head women’s basketball coach at Spring Hill College in 2011 after a seven-year stint as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at High Point University.

Karen Davis                                                                Forbush
          Standout athlete in three different sports while competing at Forbush…Davis achieved All-Foothills Conference Honors in basketball, softball and volleyball, earning basketball and softball honor four times…scored 2,194 points in high school hoop career…shot incredible 61 percent from three-point range as senior…helped lead Forbush to state softball crown…received the Pat Best Memorial Award in 1990 for being named the NCHSAA’s Female Athlete of the Year…played collegiately for Wake Forest and is in school’s top 10 for career three-point shooting.

DeAnne Davis                                                       Cummings
            Phenomenal high school competitor that excelled in both indoor and outdoor track …competed in various track and field events during her four-year high school career…at NCHSAA outdoor state championships she won the 100 meter hurdles four times, 300 hurdles four times, triple jump four times, long jump twice, and was a member of two Cummings relay state champions…she was the high school national champion in the triple jump three times and still holds state's all time best in the triple jump (42 ft. 6 in.)…member of three outdoor state championship teams and one indoor state championship team in addition to achieving two indoor national championships and one outdoor national triple jump championship.

Cetera DeGraffenreid                                             Smoky Mountain
            Prolific high school basketball star that went on to star for UNC women’s team and in European basketball… earned state championship MVP honors after leading Smoky Mountain to the NCHSAA 2-A title in 2007…currently holds the record for most points scored in a women’s 2-A state championship playoff game (42 pts) and had whopping 3,081 points in high school career…named the Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year in 2007…also competed in track and field while at Smoky Mountain…basketball jersey retired there…one of top free throw shooters in UNC history and third all-time for Tar Heels in assists…started during all four of her collegiate seasons.

Pam Doggett                                                                  Dudley
          One of the best track and field performers in North Carolina history who excelled at hurdles…the Dudley legend holds the second best all time mark in state in the 100 meter hurdles (when hurdles measured 30”) and the eighth best all time record in the 100 meter hurdles once the hurdles were increased to 33” in 1984…additionally holds the third best mark in NC for the 300 meter intermediate hurdles and has posted a top 15 all time long jump distance…was also conference player of year in basketball as senior…won inaugural Pat Best Memorial Trophy when she was named the NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year in 1985-’86.

Tisha England                                                    Newton-Conover
          Outstanding basketball player at the high school and collegiate level before transitioning into a successful coaching career…currently serving as the head women’s basketball coach at Catawba Valley Community College after first serving the same institution as an assistant…during career at Newton-Conover England achieved All-American honors and was named Gatorade Player of the Year…her high school alma mater also retired her jersey number 32…excellent player at USC Aiken and was two time Peach Belt Conference Player of Year…inductee into the Newton-Conover and University of South Carolina Aiken Halls of Fame.


Christy Earnhardt     (McKinney)                                       East Rowan
            Former basketball standout at East Rowan and a pioneer for women’s basketball in North Carolina…led East Rowan to a WNCHSAA championship and was the first woman in the “modern” high school era to score 1,000 points…went on to thrive on the court at N.C.State and eventually earned All-American honors…scored 1,359 points and grabbed 600 rebounds at N.C. State…after college established a successful coaching career—winningest coach in Rice history, where she was head coach 12 years, and also head coach at Clemson…assistant at Western Kentucky nine seasons…joined Elon staff in 2011.

Lulu Eure                                                             Gates County
            Distinguished coach and former basketball star at Gates County…now serving as the director of the Gates County Community Center and as the athletic director for Gates County High School…was part of the first club team, and later the first intercollegiate team, for women’s basketball at NC State…earned all-conference status in high school and still sits high in NC State’s all time record books for leading the 1974-‘75 team in free throw percentage, assists and steals…coached cross country, softball as well as girls’ volleyball and basketball for more than 18 years at Gates County, and also had short stints coaching boys’ basketball and soccer.

Anna Evans                                                       Lumberton
          Former three-sport star at Lumberton, excelling in tennis, basketball and softball…achieved all-conference honors three times in tennis, playing number one singles and doubles, three times in softball and twice in basketball…Evans was the first freshman to play varsity women's basketball at Lumberton in 30 years and went on to be starting guard on the 2001 state 4-A championship team and on the 2002 state runner-up…she owns five Lumberton school batting records in softball, including batting average and runs batted in…named the NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year in 2002-’03…went on to UNC on prestigious Morehead Scholarship and played softball.

Ali Ford                                                                  Freedom
           Exceptional athlete that participated in three varsity sports for four years each, including golf, basketball and softball…also ran cross-country three years while playing tennis for two seasons and running track as a freshman…earned an astounding 18 varsity letters and 12 all-conference recognitions…finished her high school basketball career with 2,502 points (7th best all-time in the NCHSAA in the five-player era)…Ford also hit 286 three-point field goals during her career (5th best all-time)… four-time all-conference, all-district and all-region selection for softball…named NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year in 2008-’09.

Samantha George                                                    Millbrook
          One of top distance runners that North Carolina has produced…won six different NCHSAA state championships during stellar Millbrook career, including three in indoor track and three in outdoor track…2011 NCHSAA 4-A champion in cross country…also competed on swim team in high school…was 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of Year in cross country as a standout runner for N.C. State…has run for Team USA in NACAC Cross-Country Championships.

Karen Godlock                                                    Polk County
Track and field and cross-country star at Polk County in the early 1990’s… was continually ranked nationally in both cross country and indoor/outdoor track…she was the first cross-country runner to win three consecutive NCHSAA state championships…established both school and state records in the 800 meter, one mile and the two mile…racked up an amazing 17 state championships, including nine outdoor, five indoor and three cross country championships…1997 graduate of UNC and now is an assistant coach at Winston-Salem State University for both track and field and cross-country.

Jill Goldberg                                                             Broughton
        One of top women’s basketball players in state in 1980’s…was Associated Press Player of the Year in 1985 and eventually had her number 10 jersey retired…led Broughton to NCHSAA state 4-A championships in 1983 (perfect 30-0 mark) and ’85, as Broughton came from 17 down late in third quarter of that one…went on to Vanderbilt as a scholarship athlete, where she played on Commodores’ first-ever NCAA tournament team…graduated from Vandy in 1989…member Broughton Athletics Hall of Fame.

Robyn Hadley                                                     Graham
          Women’s basketball star at Graham High from 1977 through ’81…compiled 1,138 points during her four-year career and was named Mid-State 3-A all-conference for her senior year…Hadley went to UNC on prestigious Morehead Scholarship and became a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University…has served as the executive director of Alamance-Burlington school system’s What’s After High School? Program.

Holly Hill                                               Southwestern Randolph
            Former three-sport star in volleyball, basketball and softball at Southwestern Randolph…earned MVP honors in 1991 and ’92 as Hill led school to back-to-back NCHSAA state 2-A volleyball championships…four-year starter, who achieved all-conference honors three consecutive years and was twice the Randolph County Player of the Year in volleyball…three times she was voted both the conference and the county basketball player of the year scoring 1,447 career points as a four-year starter…has a career batting average of over .600 in softball…1992-93 NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year.

Megan Hodge                                        Durham Riverside
          Standout volleyball player, who is potentially the best in the history of high school volleyball in North Carolina…four-time Pac-6 All-Conference performer at Riverside…two-time Pac-6 Player of the Year…named the Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year in back to back years (2005-’06)…honored as the overall Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2006…went on to become a key member on Penn State’s national championship squads, earning all-American honors four times…national championship Most Outstanding Player twice…has excelled representing USA at the international level, including 2012 Olympics.

Susan Hopson (Shelton)                                      Mountain Heritage
            Basketball star who was one of the premier centers of her era…led Mountain Heritage between 1989 and ’92 and went on to become an All-American at Mars Hill College…racked up 1,984 points in her outstanding college career…is a member of the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame and had her jersey retired in both high school and college…played one year for the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA before moving into a teaching and coaching career…now coaching the Lady Cougars basketball team at her alma mater.

Jackie Houston                                               Kings Mountain
          Former tennis and track star…Houston was the NCHSAA state 3-A singles champion four years in a row, earning all-conference honors four years and conference Player of the Year status in three seasons…was an amazing 81-0 in singles play and lost only four sets during her high school career…for track, she has been outstanding in the 400, 1600 and 3200 meter runs as well as in relays…was the conference player of the year in track and earned all-conference honors in four different events…three-time NCHSAA 3-A state champion in 400…Pat Best Memorial Trophy winner as NCHSAA’s top female athlete in 1996-97…played tennis collegiately at Wake Forest.

Jennifer Howard                                                    Fred T. Foard
          Nationally recognized basketball star during illustrious career at Fred T. Foard…recognized as a Kodak All-American and a six-time AAU All-American…scored 2,054 points during her high school career…during Howard’s junior year, she helped guide Foard to a 29-1 season and the NCHSAA 3-A state basketball championship…additionally was all-conference for four years in tennis and also ran track…went on to star for the Kay Yow’s NC State women and was an Academic All-American with a 4.0 GPA both in high school and college.

Monique Hudson                                               SouthWest Edgecombe
            One half of the twin sister tandem that helped guide Southwest Edgecombe to multiple championship runs early in this millennium…achieved a 94-18 record over her four seasons, won the NCHSAA 2-A championship in 2005 and was the 3-A runner-up in 2006…racked up 1,760 career points and ranks fourth among SouthWest girls basketball players…her No.15 jersey has been retired by SouthWest.

Dominique Hudson                                      SouthWest Edgecombe
              An outstanding point guard who is the second half of the sensational twin sister combo that dominated women’s basketball for four years at Southwest Edgecombe…compiled an overall 94-18 record over her four-year career, won the NCHSAA 2-A championship in 2005 and was the 3-A runner-up in 2006…the elite passer and ball-handler scored 1,178 points while at Southwest…like her sister, Hudson’s No.12 jersey has been retired by her alma mater.

Ann Johnson                                                                  Rankin
          One of the most prolific scorers of the six-player women’s basketball era…sits second on the women’s all-time scoring list in North Carolina with amazing 4,238 total points…remains third on the single season scoring list with 1,382 points in 1958-’59…in 1959, Johnson scored 82 points in two different games and 76 in another…still holds the record for most points scored in a freshman season with 892 points in 1955-’56.

Porsche Jones                                                       Carver
          Four-year basketball standout at Winston-Salem Carver...all-city/county, all-conference and All-Northwest selection all four years of her prep career…guided the Yellow Jackets to the NCHSAA 3-A state championship as a junior (2001), earning tournament MVP honors as well…finished here high school career with over 1,500 points and as Carver’s all time leader in assists and steals…went on to star for Wake Forest and eventually returned to her prep alma mater as their women’s basketball head coach.

Leora (Sam) Jones                                                  Southern Wayne
            Amazing basketball talent in high school and college that went on to become a prolific handball player…after leading the Southern Wayne women’s basketball team for four years, Jones attended Louisburg Junior College before moving on to star for the East Carolina University Lady Pirates…guided the Lady Pirates to a 40-17 record over two seasons and earned a spot in the 1982 NCAA Tournament (averaged 16 ppg)…went on to feature three times on the US Women’s Team Handball Olympic squad and three times she was voted US Team Handball Federation Athlete of the Year.

LeAnn Kennedy                                                             Trinity
          Dominant forward that starred for Trinity’s women’s basketball teams in the late 1980’s…helped guide Trinity to back-to-back NCHSAA 3-A state championships in 1987 and ’88…racked up 34 points in the 1988 championship game to help beat East Henderson in a memorable overtime classic…former winner of the Pat Best Memorial Trophy after being named the NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year in 1987-’88.

Blair Lamb                                                        East Henderson
          Outstanding golf talent who accumulated numerous prestigious victories at the high school level, and has gone on to thrive on the Furman women’s golf team…four-time all conference selection and four time conference Player of the Year…won the 2002 Mid Pines Junior, the 2003 Mid Pines Junior, and was a three-time NCHSAA individual state champion…also played volleyball and basketball.

Beth Laney (Queen)                                                             Bandys
          Starred on dominant women’s basketball teams at Bandys in the early 1980’s…teams achieved an amazing record of 111-7 during her four-year career, winning the NCHSAA 2-A state championship in 1982 and reaching the Western Regionals all four years…went on to excel for the Appalachian State women’s squad, leading them to three consecutive Southern Conference championships (1987-’89)…was named the SoCon Player of the Year as a senior…has been successful coach at high school level, including a stint at Bandys.

Pam Leake                                                       Chapel Hill
          Former basketball star for both Chapel Hill High in the early 80’s and then for the University of North Carolina…won the NCHSAA 4-A state championship in 1981, finishing the year with a 24-2 mark…achieved an ACC regular season and tournament title with UNC in 1984…earned ACC Player of the Year honors in 1985 and ’86, and was also a Kodak All-America selection in 1986 as well…scored 2,001 points during her Carolina career and played in 124 games.

Chelsea Leonard                                                    Central Davidson
          Dominant softball pitcher for Central Davidson…honored as an All-Conference and All-State player from 2006 to ’08…led the Spartans to three straight NCHSAA 2-A state softball titles (2007-09) and won 29 games in one season…state championship Most Valuable Player twice…0.09 ERA in 2008 season…recorded six perfect games, 64 career shutouts, and 20 no-hitters...over 200 innings without yielding earned run at one point…pitched collegiately at Louisville although had injury problems…leading NCHAA in saves one year… academic All-American…named assistant coach at Pittsburgh in summer of 2013.

Camille Little                                                                  Carver
            Outstanding basketball talent at Winston-Salem Carver…scored school-record 2,168 points during prep career…three-time all-state selection…shared the Associated Press Player of the Year honor as a sophomore in 2001 when she led Carver to a NCHSAA 3-A state championship and a 30-0 record…AP North Carolina Player of the Year as a senior and also was North Carolina's Gatorade Player of the Year…great career at University of North Carolina…ACC Freshman of Year who went on to score 1,773 points (12.8 ppg) in career…has played for three teams in WNBA, most notably Seattle Storm.

Leah Mackley                                                                 Pender
            Remarkably excelled in five sports (volleyball, basketball, soccer, indoor and outdoor track) during her prep career…participated in state championship events on seven different occasions and has played on six different conference championship teams…was a leader on the state 1-A softball championship team as a freshman and helped lead her squad to the state volleyball finals three times, including winning the title in 2009 and 2010…holds Pender County’s record for assists in volleyball and for goals in soccer.

Rhonda Mapp                                                   Asheville
          Standout basketball star and dominant low-post player for both Asheville High and NC State…member of the Lady Cougars NCHSAA 4-A state championship basketball team in 1987…named to the first-team All-ACC squad in 1991 and 1992…helped guide the Wolfpack to an ACC championship in 1991…shot NCSU school record 64.4 percent from floor one season…named an ACC Legend…competed five seasons professionally in the WNBA with the Charlotte Sting (1997-99) and Los Angeles Sparks (2001, 2003)… also the founder of the successful nonprofit “Follow Your Dreams Inc.”

Gabby Mayo                                                   Southeast Raleigh
          Track star on the state and national stage…took top honors in NCHSAA indoor 55-meter dash in both 2006 and ’07…earned 12 individual state track titles and has won four different events in the NCHSAA 4-A outdoor championships…named the 2006 Youth Athlete of the Year by USA Track and Field…winner of the Pat Best Memorial Trophy in 2007 as the NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year… attended Texas A&M and won a silver and gold medal at the 2006 World Junior Championships.

Rashanda McCants                                               Asheville
            Distinguished basketball star first at Asheville High and then for the University of North Carolina women…helped lead the Cougars to three consecutive NCHSAA 3-A state championships from 2003 to 2005, and an undefeated season in ’05…two-time 3-A Miss Basketball in North Carolina and two-time all-state selection…an All-America selection by McDonald's and also named the Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year with 2,285 points…ACC Player of Year at UNC and earned all-American honors…played in WNBA and also has played overseas.

Billie McDowell                                                    Lumberton
          Three-sport (basketball, volleyball, track) star that is best known for her basketball ability…was named the Associated Press co-Player of the Year and the North Carolina Player of the Year in her junior season…reached the NCHSAA 4-A state championship game twice and won once (2001), in game in which she was MVP…went on to thrive under Kay Yow as a four-year player for the NC State women’s squad…co-captain of Pack as senior…later coached high school basketball.

Clifeteana McKiver                                               East Duplin
              A three-sport star that thrived in volleyball, basketball and track…in 1998 she was her team's MVP in volleyball but achieved most of her acclaim by being a state champion in basketball and track…posted impressive career marks at East finishing with 1,924 points, 1,330 rebounds and 555 blocks…was named first team all-state in her senior season…in track, McKiver was an all-conference selection twice and won the NCHSAA state 2-A titles in both the discus and the shot put in 1997…named the NCHSAA Female Athlete of the Year in 1998.

Kathy McMillan                                                    Hoke County
            Impressive track and field star while at Hoke and a former Olympic long jumper…achieved a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal…set the national girls’ high school long-jump record as a prep senior in 1976 and still holds NCHSAA record in that event…helped guide Hoke County to four team state championships in women’s track and field (1973-’76)…excelled as a jumper and sprinter for Tennessee State University and was also a member of 1980 U.S. Olympic team.

Courtney Melvin                                                 East Bladen
          Outstanding basketball star at East Bladen who also excelled in volleyball and track and field…conference champ in shot put…went on to attend East Carolina but later left there…Most Valuable Player of the 2011 North Carolina East-West All-Star Game…holds East Bladen’s school scoring record finishing with 2,502 career points…received Associated Press All-State Team honors in 2010…helped guide her squad to the NCHSAA state basketball championship game three times and was Pat Best Memorial Award winner as NCHSAA’s top female athlete in 2010-11 academic year.

Chasity Melvin                                                 Lakewood
                  A 1994 graduate of Lakewood High where she and her two sisters, Danielle and Jimmelle, helped lead the Leopards to a NCHSAA 1-A state basketball championship in 1994…went on to star for N.C. State under Kay Yow, racking up over 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds in her collegiate career… helped guide the Pack to its first ever Final Four appearance in 1998…entered the WNBA in 1999 and has had successful stints with the Cleveland Rockers, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky.

Lisa and Margit Monaco                                 Fayetteville Terry Sanford
          These sisters dominated high school tennis during their high school career at Terry Sanford…first people to win four NCHSAA state championships in tennis, as they combined to win four state crowns in doubles from 1977 through 1980…posted incredible doubles record of 117-1 during their playing days…were members of National Honor Society…both attended University of North Carolina but eventually gave up collegiate tennis, with Lisa playing three years and Margit two…Margit earned law degree at Campbell and Lisa got masters in school guidance and counseling.

Debbie Mulligan (Antonelli)                                             Cary                    Was outstanding player on strong Cary women’s basketball teams coached by Carolyn Shannonhouse…went on to play at North Carolina State University under Kay Yow, starting at guard for three years and lettering four times…in 1986 earned N.C. State Alumni Athletic Trophy that was awarded annually to outstanding senior athlete…one of the nation’s most esteemed women’s basketball analysts, working for ESPN, CBS and Fox Sports Net among others, and also does work on men’s games…has been involved with WNBA games as announcer since the league’s inception…master’s in sports administration from Ohio.   

Aedrin Murray                                                 Chatham Central
            Earned Pat Best Memorial Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 1994-95 academic year…amazing high school career in which she lettered in five different sports, including cross country, tennis, basketball, softball and track…conference Player of Year in two sports and qualified for state cross country, track and tennis championships…scored 1,766 points in basketball and finished career as school’s all-time leading scorer.

Kathy Ormsby                                                    Richmond
          Valedictorian at Richmond Senior and one of premier distance runners in country in both high school and college…held NCHSAA state championship meet records in 1600 and 3200 for many years…won 1982 NCHSAA women’s open cross country championship…pre med student who ran at North Carolina State and set a U.S. collegiate women’s record for 10,000 meters at Penn Relays…BS from N.C. State and master’s in occupational therapy from UNC…confined to wheelchair after tragically jumping off bridge following leaving track in NCAA 10,000 meter race in 1986.

Wendy Palmer                                                Person County
          Named Pat Best Memorial Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 1991-92 academic year…one of top high school basketball players in country (35 ppg, 19 rebounds, 3 blocks per game as senior)…was also player of the year in conference in volleyball and held share of state high jump record at one point…played four years at University of Virginia, where she was an all-American and ACC Player of Year, and went on to lengthy career in WNBA and also played overseas…started with Utah Starzz and played for five other teams…now in college coaching.

Danyel Parker                                                      Clinton
           Earned Pat Best Memorial Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 1988-89 academic year…four-time all-conference in basketball, three times each in volleyball and softball…led Clinton to NCHSAA state basketball title (34 points in 1989 NCHSAA 2-A final) and scored amazing 3,225 points during high school career and is still state high school career record holder in that department in five-player game…averaged 30.7 ppg in high school career…went on to have outstanding career at N.C. State under Kay Yow, playing on some outstanding teams.

Crystal Parker                                                      Reidsville
           Great player at Reidsville who went on to fine career in women’s basketball at University of Florida…at the time of her graduation from UF in 1996, was first player in history of Lady Gator basketball to play in four NCAA tournaments…played all four years and was co-captain of team in 1994-95…appeared in 120 games in college career and averaged 7.3 ppg for that span.

Jamie Parsons                                                             Millbrook
          Named Pat Best Memorial Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 1993-94 academic year…was outstanding in basketball, volleyball and soccer…conference Player of Year in basketball as senior (16.6 ppg, 7.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists) and led Millbrook to two NCHSAA state 4-A volleyball championship…MVP of ’93 volleyball title match…also league Player of Year in volleyball and all-conference in soccer…went to Penn State on basketball scholarship and earned a couple of team post-season honors, including academic award.

Jennie Pegram                                                             Cary
                   Terrific athlete at Cary High School in the days before sanctioned women’s sports championships at high school level…actually played in “unofficial” state tournament in 1951 that drew some 6,000 fans to Reynolds Coliseum…led Cary from 1947 to 1951 and was considered one of top female athletes in that part of the state…later played for renowned Hanes Hosiery team that was a national basketball power in 1950’s.

Lauren Perdue                                                Greenville Rose
          Great swimmer and National Honor Society member at Rose High in Greenville, who swam for University of Virginia from 2009 to ’12…won four individual NCHSAA state championships, including winning 50 freestyle three times…captured whopping 19 ACC championships and was ACC Swimmer of the Year in both 2010 and ’11 as well as a three-time ACC Swimmer of the Championships (MVP at league championship meet)…all-American times in college 16 different occasions…earned a spot on 2012 USA Olympic team and earned a gold medal in the four by 200 relay.

Katherine Perry                                                   Athens Drive
          Outstanding career in golf during her high school days at Athens Drive…lettered four times and was team MVP…won the 2009 NCHSAA state 4-A women’s individual championship and helped lead Athens to team championships…was school’s Women’s Athlete of Year as senior…has had fine career collegiately, playing for North Carolina…all-ACC in 2012…has twice won prestigious North Carolina Women’s State Amateur championship.

Sherri Pickard                                                             Graham
            Excellent all-around athlete at Graham who went on to North Carolina State…played basketball for Pack under Kay Yow…after graduation, led Rubi-Otts of Graham to Amateur Softball Association national slow-pitch championship in 1980 and was tournament MVP…was also ASA National Player of Year that year…later was assistant basketball coach at Duke, Furman, ECU and Manhattan and head coach at NYU after stint coaching at Broughton.



Angie Polk                                                          Grimsley
           Terrific three-sport athlete, lettering in volleyball, softball, and basketball…led Whirlies to 1985 NCHSAA state softball title…went on to become perhaps top women’s basketball player in history at UNC Greensboro…remains school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,585 points and led her teams to a 93-22 record in four years...earned All-American honors and was the school’s first athlete to have a jersey retired (1989)…member of team which reached ‘88 NCAA Division III Final Four…served as head women’s basketball coach at Grimsley for eight years and an assistant coach at UNCG three seasons…member Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame.
                                        
Latoya Pringle                                                              71st
          Tremendous high school basketball player at Seventy-First that is fifth all-time in NCSHAA career rebounding totals with 1,357 from 2000-04…led school to two NCHSAA state 4-A basketball championships and was MVP in both the 2003 and ’04 title games, including whopping 28 rebounds in ’03 final…went on to excellent career at North Carolina…is still school’s all-time leader in blocked shots…was drafted in first round of WNBA draft by Phoenix Mercury…also played for Minnesota, L.A. Sparks and Washington.

Molly Pyles                                                       Hendersonville
          Named Pat Best Memorial Award winner as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 2000-01 academic year…was tremendous player in volleyball, basketball and track and established record that can’t be broken—was four-time Most Valuable Player in NCHSAA state volleyball championship match…four-year starter in basketball with 1,331 career points and qualified for state track meet in multiple events…went to North Carolina to play volleyball…four-year outside hitter at UNC, elected and was all-ACC selection…has coached volleyball at both high school and collegiate levels.

Shea Ralph                                                       Terry Sanford
Earned Pat Best Memorial Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 1995-96 academic year…record-setting basketball player who also lettered in soccer, track and cross-country…at one time held 17 NCHSAA basketball records…Parade all-American who averaged 39.1 ppg one season who scored 3,002 points in prep career…went on to University of Connecticut, where she was member of NCAA champion in 2000 and earned all-American honors…was MVP of NCAA Final Four and scored 1,678 points in college…went on to coach at college level at Pittsburgh and now at UConn.

Sally Reid (Bradshaw)                                           Fred T. Foard
          Was tremendous high school and college athlete…scored 2,443 points in basketball career at Fred T. Foard from 1972-76 and later starred on nationally prominent teams at Lenoir-Rhyne College…scored 2,093 points in collegiate career (22.8 ppg overall, including 28.7 ppg one season) and was L-R’s MVP three times… also set L-R rebounding and free throw records and earned all-American honors…wound up going into high school administration and was named to NCHSAA Board of Directors.

Janetta Robinson                                                    Pender County
          Was named winner of prestigious Pat Best Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 2007-08 academic year…played four different sports in high school and played for five NCHSAA state championships in three sports in her career…led Pender to state softball title and was Eastern Regional MVP in basketball as senior, a season in which she averaged17.1 ppg, 8.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists…went on to be outstanding basketball player at Barton College, earning all-conference honors there in 2012 during a career in which team won four league regular season titles.

Connie Rogers (Newcome)                                           Clyde Erwin
          Outstanding athlete at Clyde Erwin who is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame…won an amazing 15 varsity letters during her career, including basketball, softball, volleyball and bowling…scored 1,980 points during her high school career (18.9 ppg, 12.4 rebounds) as team won 91 games in four years…North Carolina Player of Year in ’78 and Parade All-American…won one of Kay Yow’s first recruits to N.C. State, where she played on Pack’s first ACC championship team and later was assistant coach there…scored 1,150 points during her State career…has run several marathons since graduating from college.

Tonya Sampson                                                             Clinton
            Had tremendous high school career for successful Clinton teams before heading to North Carolina…had 30 points and 17 rebounds in 1988 NCHSAA 2-A final when Clinton fell to Bandys, but was MVP of 1990 final with 33 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists in win over Newton-Conover…scored a whopping 2,143 points for UNC, which puts her second in career scoring stats, and led team in scoring four times…also grabbed 924 rebounds during college career, in top 10 at UNC in that department, and is second in career steals…Kodak All-American…has honored jersey hanging in Carmichael Arena at UNC.

Tara Saunooke (Alexander)                                   A.C. Reynolds
            Led A.C. Reynolds to 1990 state 4-A women’s basketball crown and was MVP of championship game…went on to excellent career at Clemson, where she led Tigers in three-point shooting for four straight years and was among nation’s leaders from 1992 through ’95…tied NCAA tournament record (at the time) with six three-pointers against Xavier…ended Clemson career with 1,462 points and 255 assists…first team all-Atlantic Coast Conference in 1995 and was Clemson Most Valuable Player…has coached high school basketball and tennis.

Angie Salyer (McDonald  )                                         Smoky Mountain
            Outstanding high school athlete at Smoky Mountain who played in East-West all-star basketball game in 1993…played volleyball, ran track and played basketball in high school…on national championship AAU team…basketball jersey retired at Smoky Mountain…fine hoop career at Clemson and earned Annie Tribble Leadership Award there for 1996-97 season…starting point guard on ACC tournament championship team…had worked as academic advisor and tutoring coordinator at Western Kentucky…member Jackson County Hall of Fame.


Julie and Mary Shea                                          Cardinal Gibbons
    These sisters were among the best distance runners in the nation during their high school careers at Cardinal Gibbons…Julie held retired one-mile record and Mary the retired two-mile mark…Mary held three national high school records at one point and the American record in the 10,000…both went to North Carolina State University where the duo had outstanding collegiate careers…Julie won seven national titles during her time at State and the pair earned all-American honors in cross country…Julie was McKelvin Award winner as top ACC athlete in 1981 and ’82 and is member of North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame…both were named to ACC’s 50th Anniversary cross country team.

Amy Simpson                                                             Morehead
          One of six players all-time to score more than 3,000 career points in NCHSAA women’s basketball…had 3,067 points for Morehead from 1995-99…scored 37.1 ppg as senior, a season in which team finished as NCHSAA state runner-up…also had over 1,000 career rebounds…excellent player at N.C. State, where she was known as great defensive player (voted team’s top defender as junior) but also scored 26 in a 2000 game against Duke.

Jessie Sims                                                         West Henderson
          Winner of Pat Best Memorial Award as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 2004-05 academic year…star at West Henderson in volleyball, swimming and track…was MVP of NCHSAA state 2-A volleyball championship for team that went 36-0…key performer in swimming for team which finished second in state meet…won state championship in outdoor track in hurdles…went on to attend the Naval Academy and set career record for digs during her time there with 1,424 as four-year player…also earned academic award there, making Academy’s Commandant List.

Charlotte Smith                                                        Shelby
                 An outstanding basketball player at Shelby High School who went on to great career at University of North Carolina…was ACC Rookie of Year as freshman and probably best remembered for hitting game-winning shot that lifted UNC to NCAA national championship in 1994…she was Most Outstanding Player of that NCAA Final Four…had her jersey retired by Carolina and was MVP of ACC tournament both as junior and senior…a member of ACC 50th Anniversary Team…scored 2,094 points and grabbed 1,200 rebounds in college…played professional basketball in both ABL and WNBA, primarily with Charlotte Sting…went into college coaching and was an assistant for several years at UNC and became head coach at Elon University in 2011.



Julie Stackhouse                                                             Hayesville
          One of greatest female track and field athletes, in terms of championships, in NCHSAA history…led Hayesville to a couple of state team track titles and won amazing 15 different state individual championships, including four in 100 hurdles and three in high jump…also captured a 1-A cross country crown…attended Clemson University and then transferred to Furman, where she set several school records and was two-time Southern Conference 800 meter champ…has coached at college level at North Florida, Furman and Air Force Academy.

Andrea Stinson                                               North Mecklenburg
          Named Pat Best Memorial Award winner as NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year for 1986-87 academic year, the second year the award was presented…one of the top female basketball players in state history and also outstanding in softball…scored 2,135 points during prep hoop career and was two-time Parade all-American, leading North to an unbeaten season…all-American at N.C. State and scored 2,136 points in three seasons…ACC Player of Year in 1990…played in WNBA, mostly for Charlotte Sting, as well as overseas…now a high school basketball coach.

Lisa Stockton                                                     Western Guilford
          Great athlete at Western Guilford who went on to excel at Wake Forest University in basketball…started 97 consecutive games at Wake and set a number of records while she played there from 1983 to ’86…had 1,347 points, which was career mark at one time, and earned ACC Academic Honor Roll recognition twice…drafted to play in WNBA but began a college coaching career that has included head job at Greensboro College and assistant at North Carolina and Georgia Tech…became head coach at Tulane in 1994 and has compiled brilliant record there with over 400 coaching victories for Green Wave.

Pam Sumner (Bryant)                                               Smoky Mountain
          Terrific multi-sport athlete at Smoky Mountain…led school to back-to-back NCHSAA state volleyball championships in which she was Most Valuable Player of state final in both 1991 and ‘92, playing for legendary coach Cindi Simmons…also played softball and basketball…volleyball jersey has been retired at Smoky Mountain…standout player and four-year letterwinner in volleyball at North Carolina State University…has been career record holder at NCSU in kills and played whopping 488 games for Wolfpack…second team all-ACC in 1996…member Jackson County Hall of Fame.

Anna Tharrington                                                 Southern Nash
          Selected as winner of the NCHSAA Female Athlete of Year honor in 1998-99 academic year, earning Pat Best Award…starred in volleyball, basketball and softball in high school at Southern Nash and was conference player of the year in both volleyball and softball…also ranked first in her senior class academically…went on to play at the University of North Carolina and played on first UNC team to win ACC tournament championship in softball.

Ericia Turner                                                               Bandys
           Outstanding athlete at Bandys who played on a couple of state championship women’s basketball teams in four-year career…had 16 points to help Lady Trojans win 1988 NCHSAA state 2-A final as team went 32-1…averaged 17.4 ppg, 9.8 rebounds and shot 56.8 perfect from floor as senior in ’89-‘90… magna cum laude graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she played basketball…held coaching positions at several different high schools, including Mallard Creek, and then has served as athletic director at Newton-Conover and as system AD for Alamance-Burlington school system.

Henrietta Walls                                                   Central Davidson
          Excellent athlete at Central Davidson who went on to play collegiately and professionally…scored 2,116 points and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds in high school…had 36 points and 17 rebounds to lead team to NCHSAA state hoop crown in 1979…went on to ply at the University of North Carolina…played for Tar Heels from 1980-83 and is in top ten for UNC career totals in several categories…named to ACC 50th Anniversary team and first UNC player to make the all-ACC Tournament squad…played for Washington Mystics in WNBA and some overseas ball…member of Davidson County Sports Hall of Fame.

Rita Wiggs                                                       Cape Fear
          Great athlete at Cape Fear and was listed in “Faces In the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated in high school…averaged 23.2 ppg in high school basketball…went on to UNC-Greensboro, where she held career basketball scoring record for years…was four-year starter from 1971-75 and tallied 1,347 points…coached at both high school and collegiate levels, served as athletic director at Methodist University, and has for many years has been commissioner of USA South Athletic Conference…charter member of UNCG Athletics Hall of Fame, Methodist Hall of Fame and Fayetteville Sports Hall of Fame.

Chelsea Wilkinson                                               Alexander Central
          One of greatest high school softball players in history of state…won an amazing 112 games during her prep career, the top mark in NCHSAA history, including two seasons of 31 victories…16 perfect games and 83 shutouts in career…second all-time in career strikeouts and amazing high school career era of 0.48…two-time MVP of NCHSAA state championships, leading Alexander to crown in 2009 and ‘11…two-time Gatorade state player of year and four-time high school all-American…signed to continue career with University of Georgia.

Kay Wilson (Hammer)                                                    Taylorsville
          One of most prolific scorers in history of women’s basketball in North Carolina in old six-player game who established some staggering scoring totals…once scored 104 points in a single high school game for Taylorsville in 1963…also scored 68 points in one half as well as 39 points in a single quarter…tallied an incredible 4,210 points during her career from 1960 to ’63, third most in history in the state…played for NCHSAA Hall of Famer Pat Gainey.

Sarah Winslow                                                    Wilson Fike
          One of top women’s soccer players in NCHSAA history…scored an amazing 76 goals for Fike during 2006 season, which has stood as NCHSAA single-season mark…214 goals for her prep career, which is second all-time…went on to play for four years at Wake Forest, finishing her collegiate career third all-time in WFU history in games played with 88…started at least during portions all four years, including most games after her freshman season…changed positions during college and wound up as defender…member ACC Honor Roll.

Kaye Young (Cowher) and Faye Young (Miller)                     Bunn
          Terrific twin sister basketball players at Bunn who went on to star collegiately at North Carolina State after playing two years each at Peace…were co-captains of State team coached by Kay Yow and led 1978 team to number-one ranking during season and 29 wins…State won inaugural ACC women’s basketball championship…played for New York Stars and New Jersey Gems in old Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL)…Faye had stints in college coaching (Manhattan, Georgia Tech, Cornell) and also was commentator for ESPN for several years…Kaye married former Pittsburgh Steeler head coach Bill Cowher and tragically died of cancer at age of 54 in 2010.

Kay Yow                                                                  Gibsonville
            Amazing basketball player for Gibsonville High in the late 1950s, who eventually made an even bigger contribution with tremendous head coaching successes…MVP and an all-conference forward four straight years at Gibsonville…scored 52 points in a single game as prep player…coached at the high school level and four years at Elon before serving as NC State’s head women’s basketball coach from 1975 to 2009…posted a career collegiate record of 737-344, led the United States women's basketball team to a 1988 Olympic gold medal and guided Wolfpack to the 1998 Final Four…inductee into many halls of fame, including the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall as well.

Susan Yow                                                                   Gibsonville
            Former standout basketball player at Gibsonville, who played under the guidance of her sister, and distinguished basketball mind Kay Yow…broke a majority of her older sisters’ (Kay and Debbie) records at Gibsonville and eventually had her number 14 retired by the school…moved on to be a star and All-American for the Elon and N.C. State women’s basketball squads…eventually transitioned into coaching and coached in a variety of capacities for teams such as the Providence women, UNC Wilmington women, the Charlotte Sting and the Minnesota Lynx.

Megan Zullo                                                         Farmville Central
            Three-sport star at Farmville Central, excelling in volleyball, basketball and track…earned all-conference honors in both volleyball and basketball four times each…racked up 2,326 points during her basketball career as Farmville posted a 102-14 mark in that sport during her four years…named MVP of the state 2-A championship game won by Farmville in 2006…named the NCHSAA’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2006…went to N.C. State to play basketball, was injured there and wound up transferring and playing at Massachusetts…outstanding three-point shooter.