Women's Basketball Grabs Inside Talent Inside The State
11/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? To be a factor in the Southeastern Conference a player needs to possess the complete package of size, strength, speed and athleticism. The Alabama women’s basketball team may have found just that with the signing of 6-foot-4 Leeds High School standout Carmen McCoy. McCoy will begin her Tide career in the 2008-09 season.
“Carmen brings a great defensive presence to the floor,” Leeds head coach Dale Burnette said. “She is a shot blocking, rebounding threat every game and on top of that she can run the floor. She has great hands and you can match her size with anyone in the SEC. Carmen will pay big dividends for Alabama inside.”
Burnette isn’t just talking up his standout player, McCoy’s stats speak for itself. McCoy dominated inside as a junior, averaging nearly a triple-double on the season. McCoy poured in 12.6 points per game and pulled down 13.4 boards per night while blocking an astronomical 8.2 shots per game.
This defensive prowess caught the attention of the likes of Florida, Clemson, Missouri and Mississippi State. Alabama head coach Stephany Smith was not about to let this Alabama standout be on the other end when her Tide came into the opposing team’s paint.
“Carmen is a low post player with an attitude of controlling the boards,” coach Smith said. “She is the first true center we have signed and has tremendous physical size and presence. Throw in her passion for the game of basketball and a determined work ethic to make herself the best she can be, and her potential is great. She is not the stereotypical “big man” in that her mobility and quickness are two of her greatest strengths. She is young in the game and has a high ceiling for development.”
In just her short time in the game of basketball, McCoy has already garnered numerous accolades. McCoy has been named to the 3A All-Area team in all three years and she was also a 3A All-Metro selection on top of garnering 3A All-State Honorable Mention accolades.
Relatively new to the game, McCoy’s athleticism can be traced to other arenas. McCoy was part of the state champions Leeds track and field team where she competed in the shot and discus. McCoy placed third in the state in the discus.
In the fall, McCoy is on the hardwood but instead of blocking basketballs and making lay-ups, she is blocking and spiking volleyballs. McCoy has earned All-Area and All-Region status in volleyball the past three seasons.
The three-sport athlete also has an interest in fashion design and the program at Alabama fit her off the court aspirations. The university felt like home for the local prep and that played a huge factor in her decision.
“I liked the girls and the school,” McCoy said. “Being in state where my parents could come and watch me play and support me was a big deal for me.”
McCoy will join a team that has made defense a priority. With her 6-4 frame, McCoy will join sophomore Courtney Strauthers as the tallest on the team. With one more season to go at Leeds, this mountain in the middle is primed to sky over the Capstone.
