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HomeSportsAustin Peay State University Lady Govs Basketball signs Guard and Forward

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs Basketball signs Guard and Forward

Austin Peay Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs - APSUClarksville, TN –  With five players preparing to graduate at season’s end, first-year head coach David Midlick has an opportunity to mold the Austin Peay State University women’s basketball program.

He has taken his first steps in that direction, with Cincinnati forward Arielle Gonzalez-Varner and Kansas City, Missouri, guard Shelbe Piggie signing letters of intent during the early signing period.

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Gonzalez-Varner, a 6-foot forward, will start her senior campaign at Walnut Hills High School with head coach Adam Lazar. As a junior, she averaged 14.7 points (making 54.6 percent of her field goals) and 9.3 rebounds while leading Walnut Hills to the district semifinal round.

That effort included an impressive 30-point, 23-rebound performance in a sectional contest against Hamilton Ross High School.

Gonzalez-Varner enters her senior year as a two-time all-conference selection. She was a sophomore all-conference selection after averaging 14.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. In addition to her play with Walnut Hills, Gonzalez-Varner played during the summer with the All-Ohio Xpress coached by Kelly Peek.

“Arielle is a forward who can run the floor, drive to the basket, and defend,” said Midlick. “She was one of the leading rebounders in Cincinnati last year. She also has played for great coaches in Adam Lazar at Walnut Hills and Kelly Peek for the Midwest Xpress AAU team. Her parents, Kelvin and Vee, have done an outstanding job in raising a great young lady.”

Piggie, a 5-4 point guard, is preparing for her senior season at Bishop Miege High School, coached by Terry English. She has helped lead the Stags to back-to-back Kansas State High School Association Class 4A Division I titles, including an undefeated 25-0 mark last season. Piggie averaged 11.4 points, 6.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game. She was named to The Wichita Eagle All-Class Team and was a second-team KBCA All-State Class 4A-I selection.

Prior to her junior season, Piggie played during the summer with the Della Lamb Running Angels, coached by Tony Woods. She averaged 13.4 points, 6.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game during summer ball. That followed a sophomore campaign that saw her average 18.3 points and 2.7 assists in three state tournament contests and was named to the KPreps All-State Tournament Team.

“She is team first point guard that can also score,” Midlick said. “I believe she will excel in the college game. She has played for excellent coaches in Terry English at Bishop Miege and Tony Woods for the St. Louis Running Angels AAU team. She is a winner, and an even better person. I couldn’t be more excited to have her and her mom Tammy as part of our family.”

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