April 18, 2008

First year head coach Brooks Donald Williams and staff added two more signees to their 2008-09 recruiting class with the signing of LSUE transfer Kayla Armstrong and Georgetown (Tx.) High's Lauren Nutter. The signees bring the total eight for the 2008-09 class, joining early signees Ashlyn and Caitlyn Bagget of Iota High, Scotlandville High's Kendra "Kitty" Wells, Duncanville High's Alexis Andrews, Neville High's Ja'Niqua Kendrix and Ozen High's Adrienne Minor.

LSUE Transfer Kayla Armstrong

Armstrong, a 5-11 guard/forward and pre-season junior college all-American, averaged 15.7 ppg., 7.8 rpg., and led the LSUE Lady Bengals to their second straight state title, a national tournament appearance in 2006-2007 and a national ranking as high as fourth in the country during the 2006-2007 season and fifth this past season.

A native of Denham Springs, completed her two year career at LSUE tallying over 800 points and netted a season high 29 points against Southern Shreveport. She led the Lady Bengals in offensive rebounds with 88 on the year. She posted a season high 14 offensive rebounds and 24 total rebounds against Delgado Community College earlier this season.

During her prep days at Denham High, she was named the All-Parish team as well as garnering All-District honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. She was also named All-Parish Defensive Player of the Year her junior and senior seasons.

Armstrong, who is pursuing a degree in the medical field, is on the LSUE Chancellor's List and was named 2007 Miss LSUE.

"Kayla is a tremendous young lady and we are honored to have her be a part of our program. I have no doubt she will be a wonderful ambassador for McNeese State University and for our women's basketball program," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.

"Kayla is an extremely versatile guard who has a knack for rebounding. She can score inside and out and has a passion for defense. Her leadership defensively as well as on and off the floor is going to be huge for this young bunch that is coming in with her. She will be a great player and leader for Cowgirl basketball."

Georgetown High's Lauren Nutter

Nutter, a 6'3 center from Georgetown, TX. led the Georgetown High Lady Eagles to a 28-6 overall record and competed in the Texas 5A Region II Quarterfinals.

Nutter scored a career high 18 points twice this season, is a three-year letter winner and starter on a team that has a three-year record of 80-23, advancing to the state playoffs all three years.

In 2005-2006, Georgetown advanced to the Regional Tournament where they lost to the eventual state runner-up Rockwall. In 2006-2007, Georgetown advanced two rounds in the state playoffs.

In 2007-2008, Georgetown defeated #5 Conroe in the second round of the playoffs before losing to Spring Westfield in overtime in the regional quarterfinals.

As a senior , Nutter helped her team to a runner-up finish in the Georgetown Thanksgiving Tournament and Winnsboro Tournament, where she was named all-tournament in both tournaments. Her four double-doubles also propelled her team to a championship at the Seaside, CA, and Sweet Sixteen Tournament during the Christmas Holiday.

Nutter averaged 11.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg. in her senior season, is a three time all-district and two time academic all-district selection. She is part of four team defensive records at Georgetown and has a season high 240 rebounds that places her tied for eighth all-time at Georgetown.

"Lauren has tremendous upside. The most impressive aspect of Lauren's game is her passing abilities. You don't find many `bigs' that can pass as well as she can. She is dangerous in the short corner and in a high low situation."

"Lauren also runs the floor extremely well. She takes great pride in her defensive game and is as fundamental, defensively, as it gets. Lauren comes from a winning program and coaching staff that has prepared her for great things at the collegiate level. "

"We are thrilled to have Lauren Nutter join our family. She will be a wonderful addition to our program and I look for big things from her in the future."

"These two girls round out such a strong recruiting class. Our coaching staff has done a tremendous job of finding young ladies that possess winning qualities and abilities to put McNeese Cowgirl Basketball on the map. I am extremely excited and honored that these young ladies believe in our vision for the future and are willing to work very hard to make this program a special one."