ROCK HILL,SC--Winthrop women's basketball head coach
Kevin Cook has announced the signing of three high school players to national letters-of-intent on Wednesday during the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.
The three players include Erica Williams, a 5-10 forward from Stone Mountain, GA; Ronata Rogers, a 6-0 forward from Greensboro, NC; and Cymphonie Buford, a 5-9 forward from Auburn, GA.
Williams will enter her senior year at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee H.S. as the all-time leading scorer and has a chance to become a 3,000-point career scorer. She also has pulled down 1,046 career rebounds as she has averaged 20.6 points and 10.2 rebounds while connecting on 53 percent of her field goal attempts, averaging 4.3 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks. She has led her high school team to a 79-24 record while earning All-Carolinas Athletic Association honors for four years and All-NCISAA 3A honors three times. She also plays for the Georgia Metros AAU team.
"Erica is a gifted player," says Cook. "Even though she will score close to 3,000 points or more in her career, her best skill may be her ability to pass the ball. She will cause a lot of mismatch problems and has been tested among the nation'selite by playing for the powerful Georgia Metros AAU program that was coached by current Winthrop assistant Matt Huddleston. We are thrilled that she will be a part of our Winthrop family."
Rogers plays at Greensboro Day School where she is a two-time All-State selection and has been selected the PACIS Conference Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. She averaged 14 points and 9 rebounds a game last year while leading Greensboro Day to a 27-6 record and the state runner-up. She has scored over 1,000 career points and set a school record for single game rebounds last season with 23. Rogers also plays for the Greensboro Lady Phoenix AAU team.
"Ronata is an explosive athlete that can sprint the court and will fit well into our up tempo system," said Cook. "She plays begger than she is and can guard out on the perimeter, or take on taller players on the block. She has the ability to finish down low and has face up skills from the elbow. We are excited that she will ge joining us next year."
Buford plays for Greater Atlanta Christian School where she averaged 10 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.2 assists last year while leading her team to the Region 6-AA runner-up spot. In 2011, her high school team advanced to the GHSA State Championship finals. She has been a three-year starter and has been honored as a National Scholastic Coaches Association All-American last year.
"Buford is a strong and physical athlete. She brings a tremendous presence to the court and will contribute in many different ways. CiCi is a proven winner who has played for an outstanding high school coach in Cal Boyd. We are elated to have such a positive person join our Eagle program."
