Lady Govs add highly-regarded forward McKenney

APSU Women’s Basketball

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s basketball program continues the building process for the 2011-12 campaign, head coach Carrie Daniels announced, Tuesday, the addition of Somalia McKenney, of Charlotte, NC, who has signed a national letter of intent.

McKenney, a 6-0 forward, helped lead Mallard Creek High School to the North Carolina Class 4A Final Four where they lost to the eventual state champion in the semifinal round.  She was named to the I-Meck All-Conference team after averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds in a senior season shortened due to rehabilitation from a knee injury.

McKenney was highly-regarded nationally and was heavily recruited by regional powerhouses North Carolina State, James Madison and Clemson. She received a scouts grade of 83 and was ranked 70th at her position nationally by ESPN www.HoopGurlz.com, which had the following to say about the incoming forward:

“McKenney is an athletic, bouncy power forward who has recovered nicely from an ACL injury suffered in 2010. She’s able to catch almost everything thrown her way and finish around the rim. Offensively, she’s still raw with her back-to-basket footwork and would benefit from adding range on her face up jumper.”

Daniels believes McKenney will provide an immediate benefit as a four forward, a position where the Lady Govs proved to have little depth in 2010-11. Austin Peay will have three returning forwards from this year’s squad: junior Jasmine Rayner, who played the majority of her time at center, sophomore Meghan Bussabarger and freshman Shyra Brown.

“Somalia is a tremendous athlete who no doubt will be a force for us at the four-spot,” said Daniels. “What she doesn’t have in height she makes up for with an innate ability to read the defense and know the right move and play to make, and of course the God-given talent.  She will get out and pressure on defense and use her length to her and the team’s advantage. ”

McKenney becomes the fifth member of the Lady Govs 2011-12 incoming class, but is the first forward signed by the Lady Govs.

2011-12 Austin Peay Women’s Basketball Incoming Class

Shira Buley, 5-4 guard from Knoxville, TN. (West HS)

Leslie Martinez, 5-9 guard from Copperas Cove, TX (Collin County CC)

Somalia McKenney, 6-0 forward from Charlotte, NC. (Mallard Creek HS)

Shelby Olszewski, 5-6 guard from Pickerington, Ohio. (Pickerington North HS)

Kristen Stainback, 5-9 guard from Georgetown, KY. (Scott County HS)