College of Charleston Women’s basketball head coach Nancy Wilson announced the signing of forwards Caleigh Crowell and Cathryn Hardy, guards Megan Fischer and Taylor Mims and center Latisha Harris to National Letters of Intent.

“I am thrilled with our 2009 recruiting class,” said Wilson, who led the Cougars to a 23-8 overall record last season and their first trip to the Southern Conference Tournament Championship game.  “I feel that we have added size, strength and scoring ability. These young ladies will join us after having very successful high school careers. “

“We decided we needed to cover more ground geographically in order to find the best players for our needs. We have signed two girls from the mid-west, one from New England, Louisiana and one from the best state in the USA, South Carolina.”

“We will graduate six seniors in 2010, so it was very important that we sign a big class and a strong class. I feel we have met that goal. We sold them on the fact that they could come in and play with a strong senior class, and then they could make their own impact from there.”

“The completion of our new arena, the improvement in our team the previous season, and the opportunity for playing time in the near future were our selling points. These young ladies have followed our progress this past season and are very excited about contributing to what our current players have built.”

Caleigh Crowell, 6-1, Forward, Freshman, Worcester Mass.

Played for Coach Katherine McCabe at Worcester Academy ... team captain ... averaged 12.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game her senior season ... team finished senior season with a 12-6 record, good for a 6^th-place finish in the NEPSAC ... voted by teammates as Rookie of the Year her freshman season, as well as team MVP her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons ... named a New England All-Star, a Boston Globe All-Star, and a NEPSAC Class “A” All-Star ... twice named to the South Shore All-Star Team, once as MVP ... daughter of Carver and Tracey Crowell ... born on July 12, 1991.

“Caleigh is a high-low post player that can score,” said Coach Wilson. “She has a soft touch and good range for a post. She runs the floor well, and I believe that she can transition to the perimeter over time, too. Her versatility will be her strength.”

“I chose The College of Charleston because it was a good fit for me both athletically and academically,” said Crowell.

Cathryn Hardy, 5-11, Forward, Freshman, Dayton, Ohio

Played for Coach Aaron Oakes at Oakwood High School ... scored 1,303 points, grabbed 810 rebounds, snared 260 steals, made 162 assists, and had 142 blocks in her career ... averaged 14.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 2.2 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game her senior season, and shot 50.2% from the field ... team finished with a 17-6 record and 3^rd place league finish, making it to district finals that season ... named All-State Honorable Mention her junior and senior seasons ... two-time All-District 2^nd Team ... four-time All-League 1^st Team ... two-time League Player of the Year ... three-time All-Area 1^st Team ... named All-Area Underclassman of the Year as a junior, and All-Area Player of the Year as a senior ... daughter of Tom Hardy and Victoria Nilles ... born January 5, 1991 ... mother played basketball at West Point, while her father played football at Gettysburg ... her brother currently plays football at Dartmouth ...

“Cathryn is a physically strong low-post player who will also transition to the perimeter,” said Coach Wilson. “She is a player that goes hard all of the time – She knows no other way. Cathryn will be a strong rebounder, able to defend in the post and on the perimeter, and will score for us in different ways.”

“If a significant part of my college career is going to be dedicated to basketball, I want to be sure I am surrounded by friends,” said Hardy. “The CofC coaches knew some of my coaches, and were very personal in their recruiting. My visit showed me I would get along well with my teammates. CofC is the place for me because I know my coaches and teammates will truly care about me.”

Megan Fischer, 6-0, Guard, Freshman, Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Played for Coach Mike Nocella at Hoffman Estates H.S. of the Mid Suburban West Conference ... team captain ... team won 2009 MSL West championship with school-record 24-3 finish ... scored school-record 1,546 points in career ... also holds school-records for free throws made in career (348), three-point field goals made in career (72), and consecutive made free throws (35) ... averaged 17.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game her senior season ... 2009 MSL Player of the Year ... two-time All-State, All-Area, and All-Conference ... daughter of Robert and Jane Fischer ...

“Megan is a pure shooter with good range,” said Coach Wilson. “She is wiry, strong, and will help us tremendously with our fast break and offensive game. She has the ability to become an aggressive defender because she is a player who goes all-out.”

Taylor Mims, 5-6, Guard, Freshman, Baton Rouge, La.

Played for Coach Travis Bourgeois at Episcopal High School ... scored 2,003 points for her career ... averaged 15 points, 5.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game her senior season ... shot 49.7% from field, and 38.8% from three-point her senior season ... team finished her final season with a 31-9 record (state quarterfinal) ... 2009 LHSAA East All-Star Team ... three-time 1^st Team All-State selection ... three-time 1^st Team All-District and All-Metro ... two-time District MVP ... also chosen All-State, All-District, and All-Metro numerous times in softball and volleyball ... 2008 volleyball Academic All-State ... Honor Council President, 3.75 GPA ... daughter of Raymond and Kim Mims ... born February 4, 1991 ...

“Taylor Mims is a great final addition to our recruiting class,” said Coach Wilson. “She is a play-making, scoring point guard in the mold of our current All-Conference guards. She will give us depth in this position as we prepare our team to continue this year's success in the future. Her court demeanor and competitiveness are the qualities we like in our floor leaders.”

“It felt like the right place for me athletically and academically,” said Mims. “I loved the environment in Charleston, and I enjoyed the coaches and team.”

Latisha Harris, 6-3, Center, Freshman, Aynor, S.C.

Played for coach Matt Burke at Aynor High School ... scored 1,200 points, pulled down 801 rebounds, and blocked 259 shots for her career ... three-time All-Region selection ... averaged 17.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, and 2.6 steals per game her senior season ... All-State selection her senior season ... also named Region VII, “AA” Player of the Year ... born on September 7, 1990 ...

“Latisha has unlimited potential in the post,” said Coach Wilson. “She is a true ‘big girl’ with natural basketball instincts and the desire to be better. Latisha is a strong rebounder and shot blocker. Once her scoring ability becomes consistent, I believe she can be a dominant inside presence in the Southern Conference. She gives us the size we have been missing in the past.”

“I chose CofC for its academic standing, coaching staff, facilities, and the team,” said Aynor. ‘The city also has remarkable scenery.”

The women’s basketball team completed its most successful season in Division I history, earning a record 23 overall wins, as well as a record 14 league wins.  Coach Wilson won her 500^th game to become the 24^th active Division I coach to reach the 500-win milestone.  The Cougars also won a record nine games in a row.  Charleston advanced to the Southern Conference tournament championship for the first time ever and fell to Western Carolina in a record three overtimes.  Charleston upset Chattanooga in the semifinals, snapping a 17-game losing streak to the Mocs.  Deidra Jones, Jade Hughes and Tonia Gerty earned All-Tournament honors.  Gerty also earned All-Conference honors, with Hughes winning the Ann Lashley Inspiration Award.

Charleston opens the season November 14 at North Carolina.