web Charlotte

Nov. 11, 2009

Charlotte, NC - The 2009 Atlantic 10 Champion Charlotte 49ers women's basketball program and head coach Karen Aston announced the signing of four players to national letters-of-intent for the 2010-11 season. The 49ers welcome Tiona Burley of Camilla, Georgia, Ny Hammonds of Concord, North Carolina, Gabby Tyler of Emporia, Virginia and Lanie Whitaker of Boiling Springs, South Carolina to the 2010-11 roster.

"I feel like we have waited forever for this day to come," Aston said. "What a great day for Charlotte Basketball! First, and foremost, I have to thank my coaching staff for a tremendous job with this signing class. They did a great job in targeting these players early and staying on them throughout this process. Honestly, I can't thank them enough, and I hope they know they are the best staff in America! Now, in regards to the players, I do believe we have put together a terrific blend of character and talent. This is the most talented class we have put together in our three years here, and you will see that when they arrive. They fill needs that were vital for our program to continue improving, in regards to the loss of our four seniors this year."

Burley, a 6-foot-3 center from Camilla, Georgia's Mitchell County High School, averaged 13 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks per game last season as a junior. Burley is ranked as the 40th best player in the region according to the Southeastern Hoops Report.

"Tiona comes from a terrific family, and has an infectious personality," Aston said. "Tiona and Gabby will fill a void in the paint for our team. Tiona came on the scene late and I believe her upside is huge. She has soft hands, and touch around the basket, and once she gets used to the pace of college basketball, will be a force. In our system, Tiona will be able to thrive in our high-low game, and again, I am expecting a beast on the boards."

Burley earned first-team All-Region honors after helping Mitchell Country record a runner-up finish in Region I-AA. She was named Co-MVP of her Mitchell County team. She will have her jersey retired at the end of the season. She played AAU basketball for the Georgia Blazers.

"It's a great day!" Mitchell County High School coach Kenneth Harris said. "She has great leadership qualities, and is a hard worker. She will fit in nicely. She is going to a place where she really wants to be. Everyday she is wearing 49ers gear."

Hammonds, a 5-foot-5 guard from North Carolina's Concord High School, averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game as a junior. Hammonds is ranked as the 30th best player in the region according to the Southeastern Hoops Report.

"Ny Hammonds, our fourth Charlottean on the 49er squad, is first of all, a winner!" Aston said. "Ny has been coached at Concord, and understands winning. Ny has uncanny passing ability and great quickness. She will undeniably make her mark at the point guard position, and challenge the assist category in the record books."

Last season, Hammonds became the first Cabarrus County female player to score her 1,000th career point as a junior. As a sophomore, she was named MVP of the State Tournament after helping Concord High School capture the 2008 3A State Championship. She scored 21 points in 22 minutes of action in the 2008 state championship game. In 2008, she helped Concord High School tally a 31-2 record. In 2009, Hammonds was named third-team All-Charlotte Observer. She has earned All-Conference honors in each of the last two seasons.

"Ny is the most talented yet hardest working player I have ever coached," Concord High School coach Angela Morton said. "Her ability to score off the dribble and make plays for her teammates sets her apart in the women's game. I am excited she choose to play close to home where we can enjoy her college career."

Tyler, a 6-foot-2 forward from Emporia, Virginia's Greensville County High School, averaged 17.2 points and 16.3 rebounds per game as a junior.

"Gabby Tyler is a player that knows how to win, and comes from a winning high school program," Aston said. "I absolutely love her personality and attitude. She loves life, and loves basketball; two great attributes. Gabby will give us a presence in the paint, and also, will be a great defender. For her size, she has great feet, and will fit in our style of play. My favorite part of the game is rebounding, and Gabby will help our team tremendously in that area. I think that once Gabby gets used to the pace of college basketball, she is going to be a force, simply because of her desire to be great."

Tyler earned district player of the year honors last season as a junior. She has earned first-team all-district and all-region honors in each of the last two seasons. She was named first-team all-state as a sophomore and a junior.

"I am extremely happy for Gabby in her choice to attend Charlotte," Greensville County High School coach Ruby Allen said. "After her first visit, she was excited about their campus and the coaching staff. She's an aggressive player with excellent hands and foot movement that can definitely contribute to the 49ers program."

Whitaker, a 6-foot guard from Boiling Springs, South Carolina's Boiling Springs High School, averaged 12 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game as a junior. Whitaker is the 64th best player in the region according to the Southeastern Hoops Report.

"Lanie Whitaker is a very versatile player," Aston said. "She can extend defenses with her uncanny range, but also, has great size for a guard. Her energy is contagious, and I just love her personality. She wants to win, and expects to win!"

Whitaker is a three-time all-region selection. She was named MVP of the Lady Hilltopper Christmas Tournament and the Battle of the Border Invitational. She also earned Spartanburg Herald-Journal All-Area honors.

"Lanie is a pleasure to coach and is one of the best pure shooters and shot-blockers that I have ever seen play at the high school level," Boiling Springs High School coach Susan Tate said. "She is definitely a player that any coach would love to have on the floor in pressure and must-score situations. She has worked hard to improve in all areas of the game. I look forward to watching her play at the collegiate level and am thrilled that she chose Charlotte. It is a perfect fit for her and I know she will do well." \ Burley, Hammonds, Tyler and Whitaker join a Charlotte 49ers women's basketball program that captured the 2009 Atlantic 10 Tournament title and has made a school-record seven straight postseason tournament appearances, including a 2009 NCAA Tournament trip.

"This class, because of their personalities, and desire to be 49ers, will most certainly make a mark on Charlotte Basketball," Aston said. "I am so proud to welcome them to Niner Nation."