NW4A Women at the next level...

I've been waiting a long time to start this thread, I think now is the right time to pay respect for the best girls basketball conference in the state of North Carolina, the Northwestern 4A Conference. For years, the NW4A has been a home to some historic programs (McDowell, Freedom and even in the 80's Hickory) and in the past five years, has produced some of the best talent to ever come out of the conference.

Here is a list of current College players who played in the NW4A...

Freedom:
Kerri Gardin (Virginia Tech)
Tara Tate (Wake Forest)
Leah Barrier (Lenoir Rhyne)

McDowell:
Anna Atkinson (Wingate)
Erin May (Western Carolina)
Emily Lovik (USC-Upstate)
Laura Snider (Mars Hill)
Jamie Gragg (Montreat)
Whitney Mace (Montreat)

East Burke:
Ashlei Helton (Lenoir Rhyne)
Britney West (Wingate)


Of those listed, I think Kerri Gardin is likely one of the best ever to play in the conference. She lead Freedom to a state Championship in 2002 and has had a solid four year career at Virginia Tech. Every time I visit these schools its truly amazing to think of the talent that has taken the floor in recent years.

And it dosen't stop there, this years Senior Class in the conference already has (3) D1 signees and (1) D2 signee. McDowell's Lea Smith has signed with Presbyterian, South Caldwell's Kristen Kidd has signed with Appalachian St, AC Reynolds Alex Thompson has signed with Davidson and Brianna Worley has inked with UNC-Asheville.

And the future of this conference looks bright...anybody who has followed the conference this year knows about Freedom's freshmen sensation, Ali Ford and the trio of sophmores at McDowell including Lady Titans wing Kurie Washington.

 

Miranda Horne (Alexander Central '05) plays at Brevard College(NAIA); moving up to NCAA DII next year.
Also Briana Clark (Freedom) plays at Brevard College, transfer from Converse.
Holly Krogman (St. Stephen's....I know not NW4A, but local) plays at Brevard College as well.

 

Brevard

Believe they will join the SAC in 2 years, meaning they will play independent for a year.

 

They wont officially be in D-II and SAC for 2 years that is correct, but the way the NCAA works, you recruit/play/rules as if you are in and begin playing into the division you are going into. So as of Jan 1, 06 they in so far as recuiting, they have to abide by the NCAA rules which are much different than the NAIA....the kids know that for them everything steps up a notch, which is good....and many of the kids that wanted to play D-II ball while they were in hs will get to see that happen, so it is all good.
The football team that starts back up this fall has scheduled some of the SAC teams, so over the next few years they will work up into it. I have not seen the basketball schedule for next year but I know they will be playing at least 5 more games next year than they did this year.

 

Watauga's Eafton Hill played at Wake Forest then transferred to a school in Missouri I believe. She was Conf. Player of the Year her Senior year. Last I heard she was going overseas to play pro ball. Not sure if she did or not.

We have had some amazing young ladies in this conference.

 

Anna Atkinson, best to ever put on a Lady Titan uniform (picture above) continues her excellent play at the next level earning 2nd Team All South Atlantic Conference honors and winning the SAC Freshmen of the Year. Way to go Anna!!! :229031_ha :229031_ha

 

Brenda and Lindsay Taylor from Watauga went to Brown and Harvard for track and Brenda represented the USA in the Olympics in Greece in the hurdles