DAHLONEGA — University of North Georgia head women's basketball coach Buffie Burson has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to the 2017-18 class. The signees consist of six high school seniors and one transfer student.
"We our very fortunate to bring in such a talented group," said Burson. "They are all very different yet compliment our style of play in a big way. We have a solid nucleus of returning players, and I foresee this class being able to help take us to new heights. As you can see they are all great students, 1,000 point scorers and have won numerous awards.
"However, we purposely sought out players who have a passion for the game and a love for UNG. I'm excited to coach them and help them exceed their expectations while representing the Nighthawk Nation."
VANESSA AGRUSA
- Junior | 5'10 Guard | Franklin High School | USC Upstate
- Franklin High School Accolades
- Recorded over 1,000 points and 500 assists
- Averaged 19 PPG, six APG, five RPG and three SPG as a senior
- Conference Player of the Year
- All-Conference and All-District all four years
- North Carolina All-Tournament Team
- Selected to the Blue-White All-Star Game and East-West All-Star Game
- USC Upstate Accolades
- Averaged 25 minutes and started 11 contests
- Averaged 8.1 PPG and 4.6 RPG
- Won Player of the Week
IMANI ARNOLD
- Freshman | 5'11 Guard/Forward | Loganville High School
- Averaged 11 PPG, five RPG, four SPG and three APG as a senior
- Over 1,000 career points
- Has school records for most steals in a season, most steals in a career, most free throws made in a game, most free throws made in career and most consecutive games played
- GACA All-State First Team as a senior
- First Team All-Region as a junior and a senior
- Senior Class President and school record holder in track for 800 Meter
ABBIE FRANKLIN
- Freshman | 5'8 Guard | Jefferson High School
- Averaged 15 PPG, six APG, three SPG as a senior
- Over 1,000 career points
- GACA All-State First Team sophomore, junior and senior year
- All-State Class 4A Player of the Year as a senior
- Region Player of the Year as a senior
- AJC Second Team All-State sophomore, junior and senior year
- Athens Banner Herald Player of the Year sophomore and senior year
KARA GROOVER
- Freshman | 5'6 Guard | The Heritage School
- Scored 1,000 career points during her junior year
- All-Region and All-State in basketball and softball all four years
- Team MVP all four years
- Holds the record for career points and points in a single game (45)
- Newnan Times County Player of the Year as a senior
- Won the State Championship her senior year; Made it to Final Four during freshman, sophomore and junior years
- A part of National Honor Society and FCA
KARA KIDWELL
- Freshman | 5'11 Guard/Forward | Lambert High School
- Averaged 15 PPG, seven RPG and eight APG
- Played overseas for Singapore American School her junior year
- Named All-Asia International Schools First Team her junior year
- Named All-Tournament MVP of the Girls High School Division and Team MVP
- Coaches Award recipient her freshman and sophomore years at Lambert High School
- Involved in National Honors Society, Beta Club, English Honors Society, Technical Honors Society and Regional Medalist in FBLA
SAVANNA SCOTT
- Freshman | 5'9 Guard | Rabun County High School
- Scored over 1,000 career points
- AJC All-State First Team, GACA All-State First Team and All-Region First Team her senior year
- Blitz Player of the Year Finalist
- Led team to State Championship game her senior year (29-3 Record)
- Also All-Region and All-State in Volleyball and Tennis
- Blitz Tennis Player of the Year as a sophomore and a junior
- Involved in FBLA, Honor Society, and FCA
JULIANNE SUTTON
- Freshman | 6'1 Forward | Flowery Branch High School
- Scored over 1,000 career points
- Averaged 11 PPG and 10 RPG
- Helped lead team to Class 5A quarterfinals her junior and senior year
- GACA All-State as a senior
- AJC All-State Honorable Mention as a senior
- Second Team All-Area and All-Region in her sophomore, junior and senior years
- Lanierland All-Tournament Team in her sophomore, junior and senior years
