LMC Women’s Basketball Signs Four for 2015-16 Season: BANNER ELK, N.C. — Taylor Fluette, Martha Mastin, Markia Stacey and Tori Wright have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Lees-McRae and play women’s basketball in the 2015-16 season, announced head coach Michele Williams Tuesday morning.
Fluette is a 5-foot, 6-inch shooting guard from Graham, N.C.
The incoming freshman excelled in her senior season while averaging 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game. She was an all-state and all-conference selection while earning honorable mention for all-region and gained a spot on the all-tournament team during the conference tournament while playing for The Burlington School, under the direction of Tavores Vanhook.
“She has the ability to shoot the ball well beyond the three-point line. Taylor works extremely hard on the floor. She is constantly sacrificing her body for the good of the team,” praised Williams. “She understands what it means to buy into the ‘we before me’ concept. I look forward to watching her grow this season both on and off the court.”
As a junior, Fluette pestered defenses with 12 points and eight rebounds per game while earning the team’s ‘Most Valuable Player’ and a spot on the all-conference team.
She is a two-time Christmas Classic all-tournament team representative.
Fluette played for the Midstate Magic for Rod Cousin.
She is the daughter of Scott and Crystal Fluette and the sister to Jessica (15).
Fluette intends on majoring in psychology and minoring in English.
Mastin is a 5-foot, 10-inch guard from Wilkesboro, N.C. and is transferring from the University of Mount Olive.
Last season for the Trojans, she knocked down 43.5% of her shots and hit an impressive 40% of her three-pointers.
“Martha brings a lot of playing experience to our basketball program. Even though she will have to redshirt this season due to the conference transfer policy; I know that she will lead our team on and off the court,” said Williams. “I believe it will benefit Martha to use this season to fine tune her basketball skills and learn our system. I look forward to watching Martha grow as a basketball player and mentor our underclassmen this year.”
She is a four-time all-county representative while earning all-conference merits, twice.
In 2013, Mastin was named the Athlete of the Year for Scott Waugh’s team at Wilkes Central High School. She was tabbed the Western Regional MVP in 2012 while earning a spot on the all-district and all-tournament team in 2013.
She is the daughter of Dane and Ellen Mastin and sister to William Pearson (30) and Clark Mastin (23) and plans on majoring in nursing.
Her father played football at East Carolina University and LMC.
Stacey is a 5-foot, 4-inch point guard from Marion, N.C. and graduated from McDowell High School.
She is a four-time all-conference member under the direction of Jennifer Brooks and was tabbed team MVP in her senior season.
“Stacey is a special point guard that we recruited all year. I knew that I wanted Markia to be a part of our basketball program the first time I watched her play. She has great court vision and has the ability to deliver a pass exactly where it needs to be for a player to score,” praised Williams. “Markia may be small in stature, but she makes up for it with her toughness on the court.”
Stacey has been tabbed offensive MVP on multiple occasions and was named Coaches vs. Cancer Player of the Year in 2013.
She is the daughter of Marcus Stacey and Sally Logan and the sister to Creon (29), Zavia (17), Marcus (8) and Lauren (1).
Stacey intends on majoring in business administration.
Wright is a fifth-year senior at LMC and played two years of softball for the Bobcats.
She is a 6-foot center from nearby Blowing Rock and a graduate of Watauga High School.
“Tori brings a lot of maturity to our basketball program. She is one of two seniors on the team this year. Tori will be a nice addition to our post game this season,” said Williams. “She will be expected to work hard and rebound while she is on the floor. Tori is a great person with a great work ethic. I look forward in working with her this season.”
Wright won the Watauga Wendy’s High School in Heisman in 2011.
She is the daughter of Kenneth and Cyndee Wright and sister to Lanny Wilson (38) and Lauren Greene (35).
Lees-McRae College, a four-year, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA, is located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Being a year-round tourist destination, the area provides the best of a vibrant college community coupled with natural beauty and a rich history. Please see www.lmc.edu for more information.
LMC Women’s Soccer Tabbed Sixth in Coaches Preseason Poll
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The Lees-McRae women’s soccer team was picked to finish sixth in the Conference Carolinas Coaches’ Preseason Poll, announced the league office Tuesday afternoon.
The Bobcats look to bounce back from a 7-11-1, 5-5-1 CC 2014 season and look to do so under the direction of first-year coach Kiko Magaña.
LMC’s roster boasts six seniors, including Sarah Mahar (Jacksonville, Fla.), Mallory Overholt (Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada) and Molly Ames (Greensboro, N.C.). Mahar amassed 12 points and 68 shots last season while Overholt sent LMC to the CC semifinals after an overtime golden goal at No. 2 Limestone.
Magaña’s defense will be spearheaded by senior Mikaela Renfro (Orlando, Fla.), juniors Cheyenne Warrick (Pikeville, N.C.) and Ashley Ritter (Vero Beach, Fla.).
Belmont Abbey was selected as the CC favorites after receiving four first-place votes and earning 74 points.
Pfeiffer and Converse tied for second with 65 points while Limestone was close behind with 63 points.
King (Tenn.) rounded out the top five with 53 points.
The Bobcats edged Barton, 38-37, for sixth and seventh, respectively.
Mount Olive (29), North Greenville (16) and Erskine (10) round out the poll.
LMC opens its season at Lenoir-Rhyne Sept. 3. The Bobcats begin conference play Sept. 19 when they host Southern Wesleyan on Tate Field.
School (first-place votes) Total
1. Belmont Abbey (4) 74
T2. Converse (2) 65
T2. Pfeiffer (2) 65
4. Limestone (1) 63
5. King (1) 53
6. Lees-McRae 38
7. Barton 37
8. Mount Olive 29
9. North Greenville 16
10. Erskine 10
Photo Courtesy: Tori Wright, LMC Athletics
Leave a Reply