Lady Bulldogs Sign Oak Hill Academy Pair, Browne And Pace
Both Browne and Pace are Oak Hill Academy standouts that led the LadyWarriors to a third-place finish at the 25 team invite-only 2005 NationalAssociation of Christian Athletes (NACA) Tournament. Oak Hill finished thispast season with a 20-6 record under the direction of first-year head coachMike Rodgers.
"I am impressed with the work ethic of their high school team," said headcoach Sharon Fanning. "The adjustment to college is tough. I really feelthese young ladies are ahead from a discipline standpoint, both academicallyand athletically."
Browne, a native of Northampton, England, spent two years at the Mouth ofWilson, Va., school tallying 17.0 points per game, 10.0 rebounds per gameand 4.0 steals per game in her senior season. The 6-2 forward was named tothe 2005 NACA Division I All-Tournament Team. In addition to her basketballskills, Browne was a stellar track athlete as well, leading the Warriors tosuccess as a high jumper and sprinter. She also made the A-Honor Roll inher final year.
Before her stint in the United States, Browne attended Northampton SchoolFor Girls in England, where she led the Northants Lightning to a nationaltitle. At just 13 years old, she played for the Northants Junior (Under 18)team, winning the National Cup and two Southern Conference titles. She is amember of the England National Team and has an invitation to play with themthis summer. She is the daughter of Mary Browne.
"Angelina is a mentally tough, mobile post player with great endurance,"said Fanning. "She has a great attitude and plays like a winner. She lovesto pressure on defense, run the floor and is very aggressive on the boards.She looks forward to playing on the England National Team this summer and wefeel that experience will be an advantage here this fall."
Fellow Oak Hill all-star Pace recorded 18.0 points per game, 9.0 reboundsper game and 6.0 assists per game in her first year with the academy. The6-0 guard was also named to the 2005 NACA Division I All-Tournament Team,going on to earn MVP honors of the team her senior year. Pace also playedvolleyball and tennis for the Warriors.
Prior to her time at Oak Hill, the Lawrenceville, Ga., native spent herundergraduate time at Shiloh High School in Snellville, Ga. There she ledCoach Dell Grant's squad to a 25-6 record her junior year and an eventualSweet 16 showing at the state championships.
"CJ is a strong, physical player with a great jump shot," said Fanning."Her size and strength at the perimeter will make her hard to guard. She isfamiliar with SEC basketball and realizes the challenge ahead of her. Welike her focus, work ethic and skills. CJ communicates well on the floorand can make us better her freshman year."
She is the daughter of Norman and Joanne Pace.
2005-06 Recruiting Class
Angelina Browne, 6-2, Forward, Oak Hill Academy/Northampton, England
Heather Hollis, 5-11, Guard, Sulligent HS/Sulligent, AL
CJ Pace, 6-0, Guard, Oak Hill Academy/Lawrenceville, GA
Robin Porter, 5-11, Guard/Forward, Abbeville HS/Abbeville, AL
Marneshia Richard, 5-8, Guard, Ashland HS/Lamar, MS
Lauren Roberts, 6-0, Forward, Houston HS/Germantown, TN