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Basketball Positioned to Move Into 2013 Season
Posted: May 08, 2013

Basketball Positioned to Move Into 2013 Season

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Fighting Koalas have rounded out the remaining 2013-14 roster with five stellar student-athletes. Azia Gibson, Tori Neale, Kennyatta Gilchrist, Jayla Bryant (Pictured) and Erica LeBlanc will join a squad that promises to continue the progress the program has seen in the last three seasons.

 Helping the post game are Azia Gibson, Kennyatta Gilchrist, and Erica LeBlanc. Gibson comes from Westside High in Augusta, Georgia, will be joined by fellow Georgian, LeBlanc, who is graduating from Arabia Mountain High in Lithonia. Gilchrist represents the Palmetto state and will graduate from Abbeville High in June.

Tori Neale and Jayla Bryant join other North Carolinians on the team and look to make contributions at the small forward and shooting guard positions, respectively. Neale joins the Koalas from Jay M. Robinson High in Concord, North Carolina. Neale primarily served her team at the power forward but looks to bring a more versatile role to Columbia next year as well as the experience of playing on a very successful team that understands how to win with defensive pressure and fastbreak offense. Neale also looks to be a big presence on the boards, even from the perimeter.
 
 Bryant looks to bring that same presence on the perimeter from the shooting perspective. Her instincts and IQ will also serve well in creating other scoring opportunities early on. Bryant, a senior at Fayetteville Christian School, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, will support a team known for their speed and backcourt play.
 
 Adding to the improving post game are Gibson, Gilchrist and LeBlanc. Gibson hails from Westside High in Augusta, GA, where she will graduate in May. She led her team to multiple state playoff appearance during her career and brings a solid fundamental base from the defensive-minded, up-temp style of Coach Hugee. Gibson will add to both the defensive and offensive presence in the paint and while versatile, Gibson will primarily contribute at the center position. Gibson is also a stellar student off the court with plans to major in Biology.

Gilchrist joins the Fighting Koalas from Abbeville High School in South Carolina. Having receiving Region Player of the Year her junior year, Gilchrist continued to build on her skills her senior year. Gilchrist will support the team’s emphasis on rebounding and will likely create a number of defensive mismatches with her combined strength and quickness. Gilchrist’s ability to finish well around the hoop will make her a great addition to the half-court offense while her speed will allow her to contribute in the fastbreak as well.
              
  LeBlanc rounds out the recruiting class and will join the Koalas following her graduation from Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia. LeBlanc, a true post, brings size and skill to the center position. Her shot-blocking and defensive presence will give the Koalas many more options on the perimeter to mix up defenses. LeBlanc brings a great awareness around the hoop and good ball control, which the team will use for quick outlets to start their fastbreak. LeBlanc brings added scoring options in the half-court as she is comfortable facing the goal or with her back-to-the-basket.
 
  “All of these ladies are amazing individuals, basketball players, and students. We really have found the cream of the crop in every respect. We will most certainly be young next year. But this roster’s youth also brings above average academic performance, above average IQ, and above average character,” said head coach Maria Audas. “Next season is not so much about being young as it is about being winners on and off the court. These ladies are just that – winners,” Audas concluded.
Article Written by Head Coach, Maria Audas