Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have brought in their first additions of the summer in preparation for their upcoming seasons.
Head women’s coach Agnus Berenato has already signed four players to the team, including the highly-touted Amani Johnson. Johnson comes from the Pittsburgh area as a four-sport phenom who also posted a 4.0 GPA and salutatorian honors. Awarded the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Athlete of the Year, she averaged 27 points per game and led her team to two consecutive undefeated regular seasons.
“It is an honor to have our first WBCA Honorable Mention All-American in Amani Johnson,” said Berenato. “Amani will bring a winner’s attitude to the Owls both on and off the court.”
After fielding five freshmen in the team last season, Berenato will be looking for depth in each position. Kamiyah Street had an excellent season at point guard last year, but two new signings can provide ample support for her next season.
Kate Head comes from Brisbane, Australia, as a talented young player who can add a new angle of attack for the team. Peyton Lewis is a Locust Grove, Georgia native who will be an important source of support in the shooting guard position. Head was a part of a team that won a silver medal in the 2016 Australian Junior Championships, while Lewis scored over 1,600 career points during her high school career.
The newest signee is Erica Moore, who garnered first-team all-state honors her senior year of high school and was the all-time leading scorer for Howard High School in Macon, Georgia. She spent the last two seasons at Independence Community College, where she also collected a number of honors.
“Erica will help us immediately on the court,” said Berenato. “Her experience as a collegiate basketball player will add confidence to our young team.”
Two new signings have been confirmed by men’s basketball coach Al Skinner, who is having to scramble for options after last year’s leading scorer left the team. James Scott, who has been the shining star for the Owls for two years, transferred to Temple University April 25.
Bobby Parker is a transfer from Mineral Area College, where he averaged 14 points per game, while C.J. Washington is a Katy, Texas, native who led his high school to a regional championship.
For next season, both teams will be attempting to improve themselves significantly.
While the young women’s team struggled early on last season, they steadily improved and showed great determination later in the year. With Street as their focal point, next season should prove to be exciting. The men’s team also showed flashes of brilliance last year, but consistency will be crucial for next season as they try to find their next leading scorer.
