Marshall University Athletics
Women's Basketball Signs Four In Spring Signing Period
5/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball Signs Four In Spring Signing Period
5/2/2002
Huntington, W. Va.--Marshall University head women's basketball coach Royce Chadwick has announced the signing of four more players to National Letters of Intent, pushing the Herd's 2001-02 recruiting total to ten players. Christina Harbin, a 5'8 guard from Miami, Florida, Felicia Pitts, a 6'0 guard/forward from Casa Grande, Arizona, Amy Smith, a 5'8 guard from Ramstein, Germany, and Nadia Swanigan, a 6'2 forward/center from Sylacagua, Alabama, have all signed to compete for Marshall starting in the fall of 2002.
"These four girls bring us some seasoned leadership for next year's team," said Chadwick. "They've played 60-plus basketball games with winning programs, and we feel that they will add that winning attitude to our program. They're all athletic and strong and will help us tremendously in the next two years."
Christina Harbin is one of two Tallahassee Community College signees. The Miami, Fla., native played in 27 games and averaged 8.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.5 steals per game in her final season with the Lady Eagles. As a high school senior at Coral Gables High School, she averaged 21 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 4.1 steals per game.
"Christina is a big guard that can play three or four positions for us," says Chadwick. "She is a very good leader that is going to get her numbers every night. And with her size, she won't pushed around in this league."
Felicia Pitts comes to Marshall from Central Arizona Community College, the same school that produced 2001-02 Marshall standout Ida Dotson. Pitts was an All-Region selection in 2002, as wel as an All-Arizona Community College Athletic Conference first-team member. She led her team to a 25-6 record in 2001-02 and a NJCAA National Tournament appearance in 2001. She averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per game last season for Central Arizona.
"Felicia is a tremendous basketball player," says Chadwick. "She played four positions for her junior college team (point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward), and can help us out in a number of ways. She is a big-time athlete, who can run and jump and wow the crowd."
Amy Smith is the other Tallahassee Community College player signed to play for Marshall. She averaged 7 points and 5.8 rebounds this past year for the Eagles. She is a Susan Miller Academic Award Nominee, as well as an Arthur Ashe Academic Award Nominee.
"Amy is a strong, powerful presence on the perimeter," says Chadwick. "She is a strong, MAC-type guard who won't get pushed around. She is a fierce competitor who can really rebound and defend."
Nadia Swanigan most recently attended Southern Union Community College in Alabama, where she led her team to the NJCAA National Tournament for the first time in 2002. She was also an All-Tournament Team member of the Alabama Regional Junior College Tournament this year. During her two-year career at Southern Union, Swanigan won 46 games and averaged 10.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Chadwick speaks highly of Swanigan's ability to rebound and control the paint.
"She really has an inside presence. She played for a very successful junior college team and is used to winning. She cleans up on the boards and has great moves on the block. She has the potential to grab offensive rebounds and put them in the basket, something we had trouble with last season."
