Florence Wilson, the starting center for the women’s basketball team at the beginning of the season, will be transferring to Division I Arkansas-Pine Bluff on a full scholarship to play basketball.The Golden Lions finished with a 12-19 record last season with a 9-9 record in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play and expect Wilson to contribute immediately.
“She is going to be in a position to start,” Pine Bluff Head Coach Danny Evans said. “She’s the tallest kid on our team and has great hands and footwork for a post player.”
Wilson averaged 8.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in her sophomore season and produced even when she came off of the bench for most of the second half of the season.
The presence of All-State center Kieisha Phelps may have limited her playing time, but Wilson was still a Division I recruit.
“We needed some veterans,” Evans said. “We were overwhelmed by her personality and she came across sincere about taking herself to another level.”
Wilson grew fond of Pine Bluff on a recruiting trip during the Golden Lions’ homecoming.
“I had a good visit,” Wilson said. “The biggest thing was that [Coach Evans] reminded me so much of Coach Peron.”
Morgan Bennett, a member of PCC’s 2006-2007 team, signed to play with Alcorn State for the Fall. Also signing was Morgan Bennett, a player on PCC’s 2006-2007 team. Bennett, who took a year off from basketball to focus on school, signed to Alcorn State, another Division I program located in Lorman, Mississippi.
“I’m excited to play Division I ball,” Bennett said. “Taking a year off showed me how much basketball is a part of my life.”
Braves Head Coach Shirley Walker was encouraged about Bennett’s potential impact and her possible place in the starting lineup
“Her position is open [in the starting lineup],” Walker said. “She’s going to help our program.”
Bennett sees herself contributing immediately.
“I can see myself starting,” Bennett said. “If I don’t start I want to be the first off the bench.”
PCC Head Coach Joe Peron is confident that both Wilson and Bennett will excel at the next level.
“Both are capable of [averaging] double digits,” Peron said.
Several other notable sophomores yet to sign include Phelps, Anna Magganas and Lynette Jacobs. All three are going on recruiting trips in the upcoming weeks. Phelps and Magganas are visiting Morgan State (Baltimore, MD) and Jacobs is visiting Texas Southern this weekend. All three also plan on visiting Langston University (Oklahoma).
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