May 1, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman head coach Dean Walsh announced Thursday that Allison Whitenack (West Chester, Ohio) and Sha'Para Johnson (Shelbyville, Tenn.), both point guards, have signed with the Lady Eagles as part of their 2008 recruiting class.

Whitenack, a 5-foot-6 point guard from West Chester, Ohio, was a four-year starter for her Lakota West High School squad that finished ranked 13th-nationally in the USA Today/ESPN poll. She finished as the school's career and single-season assists leader.

"Allison gives us a floor general," said Walsh. "She is like another coach on the floor. She can find the open man, push it up the floor, and knock down the jumper if you don't guard her. Her style of play reminds me a lot Wingate's Anna Atkinson. We are excited to have such a winner in our program."

Whitenack was listed in the Ohio Girls' Top 64 for three straight seasons. Before an injury cost her a high-school season, Whitenack averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 50 percent from the floor, and 57 percent from three-point range.

Johnson, a 5-foot-8 guard, comes to C-N from another national powerhouse, Shelbyville Central High School in Shelbyville, Tennessee. As a senior, Johnson averaged nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals a game as a senior, leading Central to a 26-6 record and a state tournament appearance. She was named MVP of this year's team, earning All-American Honorable Mention by Sporting News. The combo-guard was ranked 77th-nationally by Bluestar, and is a three-time All-District, All-Region, and All-Region Tournament selection.

"Sha'Para gives us a lockdown, aggressive defender at the point position," said Walsh. "Her athleticism, quickness and length are what we need to be competitive not only in the SAC but also on the national level. She is a four-tool player that can push, attack, defend, and shoot. We are fortunate to have her joining our program."

Whitenack and Johnson join the Lady Eagle's three early signees. Zoriah Williams (Calera, Ala.), a 5-foot-10 forward, Liz Stringer (Parma, Ohio/Cuyahoga C.C.), a 5-foot-8 guard, and Megan Hunter (Ashland City, Tenn./Cheatham Co.), also a 5-foot-8 guard, all signed with the Walsh's squad in the fall.

Carson-Newman was 15-14 in 2007-'08, finishing third in the South Atlantic Conference.