GET THE GAME INTO
With new head and assistant coaches and seven fresh faces to compliment eight returners, Columbus State women’s basketball welcomes the challenge of successful integration in the 2009-2010 season. The advantage brought to the table by the seven newcomers is a diverse spread of talents and specialties. “We are excited about this class because we have added much needed depth at every position,” says head coach Jonathan Norton. “Our coaching staff expects all these young ladies to contribute right away and mesh with the eight returners to create a great season.” Norton identifies several new players who will serve well to take pressure off his veterans. Junior transfer Tara Tranum, 6’-1”, and freshman Crystal Rogers, 6’-0”, will be counted upon to relieve returning seniors Phebe Smith and Hali Moore in the post. A 6’-0” Georgia native, Smith was picked as a ‘09-‘10 Preseason All-American by the Division II Bulletin after a spectacular ‘08-‘09 season, during which she became the first player in 17 years to lead the Peach Belt Conference in both scoring in rebounding with 625 points scored (19.5 per game) and 353 rebounds (11.0 per game). Smith was named 2009 PBC Player of the Year and earned All-Region and All-America honors for her ’08-’09 success. Five other seniors and a sophomore complete the returning class, with Nikki Urbizo, Monique Jefferson, Ashley Stafford, Chauntel Ferdinand and Turelle Jones at guard and Lauren Ringfield at forward. Sophomore Urbizo led the squad with 56 three-pointers last season and also proved to be an excellent passer, while Jones averaged just over 11 points as a junior in ‘07-‘08 before redshirting in ‘08-‘09.
Phebe Smith had a record-setting ‘08-’09 season.
Junior transfers Deniese Campbell and Nakita Holt will bring additional speed and experience at the point guard spot while junior Renee Jackson and freshman Kelsie Weynand will match Ringfield’s size (all three are 5’-9”) and provide additional scoring at the wing position.
Columbus State women’s basketball head coach Jonathan Norton brings his coaching career full-circle as he returns to the place where his coaching experience took root. The CSU graduate was named head coach on April 20 of this year, replacing his mentor Jay Sparks. Sparks stepped aside to assume his duties as Athletic Diretor on a full-time basis. Norton came to CSU as a student trainer and equipment manager and quickly morphed into one of the top women’s recruiters
in the country. His success in the Lady Cougar program earned him head coaching stops at Lander University and then Berry College. In his four years at Berry, Norton produced a record of 81-49 and took his teams to three NAIA national tournament appearances. He posted 24 wins in his first season, 26 in his third, and finished with 18 victories in 2008-2009, earning national tournament berths in each of those seasons. At lander, Norton took a struggling program and quickly turned it around, winning the school’s first-ever Peach Belt Conference championship in only his second season, posting a phenomenal 24-4 record that year. That earned him PBC Coach of the Year honors and he finished his three-year stint at LU with a 49-38 slate. As the top assistant and recruiting coordinator for Jay Sparks at CSU, Norton was part of 130 wins against only 33 losses during his tenure. That span included two PBC championships, two South Atlantic Region championships, four postseason appearances and two Elite Eight appearances in which the teams went to the Division II national semifinals. The 2001 team was ranked number one in the nation for most of the season and finished the year at 31-1 overall, falling in the semifinal to eventual national champion Cal PolyPomona. Norton was also head cross-country coach at CSU, taking a perennial last-place team and leading it to a new role as conference contender. He earned PBC Coach of the Year honors in 1999 after leading his CSU team to a second place finish in the conference. Norton and wife Michelle, a former CSU athlete and Faculty Cup Winner, are both natives of Lilburn, GA. They are the parents of two daughters, Anna Grace and Emma Kate.
Assistant Coach Suiaunoa joins the CSU staff after two years as asst. coach at Midwestern State U. in Wichita Falls, TX, and one year as asst. coach at Northeastern A&M College (OK). Described as a tireless recruiter with an outstanding knowledge of the game, Suiaunoa will lead up recruiting efforts for the women’s basketball program. Additionally she will become the department’s Senior Woman Administrator and will oversee the CSU SAAC. Earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern State U. in Talequah, OK. Was a standout player at NSU, earning All Lone Star Conference honors in 2003 and serving as team captain. Part of NSU’s first-ever LSC championship team and first NCAA postseason berth, both in ‘03. The product of a military family, Suiaunoa hails mainly from California, with two years living in Iceland. Enjoys traveling and sightseeing.
Graduate Assistant Coach Duncan enters her second season as a graduate assistant with the CSU women’s basketball program in 2009. Originally from Dallas, GA, she played basketball and graduated from Berry College with a business management degree. Played 3 years (two under current CSU head coach Norton) and redshirted 1. All-Conference all three years and All-American her senior year. Daughter of Paul & Julie Duncan and has two sisters, also basketball players, and one brother, a senior football player at Notre Dame. Majors in public administration at CSU and is engaged to be married to Matthew Small in February 2010.
Student Assistant Coach Smith enters his third season with Columbus State University’s women’s basketball, having volunteered for two seasons and becoming a student assistant in 2009. A CSU student since Fall 2005, Smith will be graduating this December with a degree in management information systems. He was a women’s basketball assistant coach at Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia, from 2001 to 2005 before coming to Columbus. Part of Smith’s responsibilities with CSU women’s basketball include video and film exchange.
Senior Guard, 5’-5” Hometown: Birmingham, AL 2008-09: Played in 32 games with 25 starts, averaging 4.3 PPG. Shot 70% freethrows and 25% 3-pts. Scored a season high 12 points over USC Aiken and led the team in steals with 45. JUCO: Played two seasons and averaged 11.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 3.0 APG at Lady Centenary College in Shreveport, AL. Graduate of Ramsay High in Birmingham. Part of 3 state champ teams and MVP of state championship game in her senior season. Team defensive MVP both junior and senior years, averaged 13.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 5.0 APG. Likes to read, write poetry and play the piano.
Senior Guard, 5’-9” Hometown: Moultrie, GA 2008-09: Saw 22 starts in 31 games, averaging 5.6 PPG and 5.9 RPG. Second on the team with 79 assists and scored a season high 19 points over Georgia Southwestern. Shot 39% freethrows. 2007-08: Second in the club at 11.5 PPG and 6.4 RPG. Shot 73% freethrows and scored a career high 30 points over FMU. Tallied 13 rebounds against Clayton State. 2006-07: Played in all 32 games, starting 8 times. Averaged 4.2 PPG and 5 RPG. Shot 61% freethrows and 35% 3-pts. Graduate of Colquitt County High in Moultrie.
Senior Forward, 5’-9” Hometown: Lovejoy, GA
2008-09: Saw limited play in 10 games. 2007-08: Played 29 games, averaging 2.1 RPG
with 60 rebounds on the season.
2006-07: Played in 31 of 32 games and averaged 2.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG. Made 9 threepointers and shot 71% freethrows. Graduate of Luella High School in Locust Grove. Played three seasons and led the team in scoring all three years. Named team MVP for two seasons. Loves to eat fruit. Has never flown on an airplane. Lists her mother as her hero. Loves to read and listen to music in free time.
Senior Guard, 5’-8”
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA 2008-09: Played 36 games with 26 starts, averaging 8.1 PPG. Shot 75% freethrows and 33% 3-pts. Led team in assists (96) & scored a season high 22 points over Lander. Named PBC All-Academic. 2007-08: Played in 27 of 29 games. Shot 72% freethrows and 26% 3-pts. Grabbed 42 rebounds and was credited with 14 steals. 2006-07: Played all 32 games with 2 starts, averaged 3.4 PPG and 1.7 RPG. Second on team with 50 assists. Graduate of Collins Hill High in Suwanee. Honor grad & scholar athlete.
Senior Guard, 5’-9”
Hometown: Cecil, GA 2008-09: Redshirted due to injury. 2007-08: Third on the team in scoring with 11.1 PPG. Started all 29 games and led from the floor with 44%. Scored a season high 26 points at GSW, grabbed 155 rebounds (5.3 per game) and shot 66% freethrows. JUCO: Averaged 20.1 PPG and 7 RPG in two seasons at ABAC in Tifton, GA. Junior College AllAmerican honorable mention. Graduate of Cook High in Adel. First Team All Region as a senior and Tift Area Player of the Year. Never been on an airplane. Lists Martin Luther King, Jr. as her hero.
Senior Post, 6’-0” Hometown: Marietta, GA
2008-09: Became first women’s basketball
All-American (DII) in CSU history, also named PBC Player of the Year and Southeast Region Player of the Year. First player in 17 years to lead PBC in both scoring and rebounding with 625 points (19.5/gm) and 353 rebounds (11/gm). Shot 70% freethrows.
JUCO: Averaged 16 PPG and 14 RPG in 1.5 seasons at Georgia Perimeter College. Conference MVP. Graduate of McEachern High in Powder Springs. Two-time Cobb County Tip-Off Award winner and part of four region champ squads in four seasons of play. Brother Josh is her role model.
Senior Post, 5’-10�
Hometown: Ensley, AL 2008-09: Played in 32 games with 11 starts, averaging 5.7 PPG. Shot 50% freethrows and scored a season high 15 points over Augusta State. 2007-08: Started all 29 games, leading in rebounds with 7.5/game. Averaged 7.7 PPG with season high 17 points against FMU and 15 rebounds against Lander. 2006-07: Played a season at Birmingham Southern, all 30 games with 8 starts. Averaged 5.2 PPG and 5.8 RPG, shooting 64% freethrows. Graduate of Fairfield High, named to numerous AllTourney teams and was a scholarathlete for two seasons. Would love to bungee jump some day.
Junior Forward, 5’-9” Lawrenceville, GA Jackson enters her first season with CSU women’s basketball. A transfer from Northwest Florida CC where she averaged 7 PPG, 2 RPG and 2 steals/game in a 21-8 record 2008-09 season. Graduate of Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County, GA. Member of State Championship team in her senior year. Favorite actress is Jada Pinkett-Smith. Favorite movie is “Set it Off.” Favorite pro athlete is Michael Jordan. Lists her mom as her hero and enjoys sleeping, eating and RENEE text messaging in her spare time.
#10 JACkSON
Junior Guard, 5’-4” Hyattsville, MD Newcomer to the team transferring from Frederick CC (MD). Averaged 20 PPG, 6 RPG, 6 APG and 7 steals/game in 2008-09. Named league MVP and led the nation in the NJCAA rankings for total steals. Graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Springs, MD. Named MVP all three years of competition. Favorite movie is “The Lion King.” Enjoys watching TV, writing poetry and drawing in her DENIESE spare time.
#12 CAMPBELL
Junior Guard, 5’-6” Ashland, AL Transfer student-athlete from Southern Union CC. Averaged 11 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 7.4 APG and 2.3 steals/game in 2008-09, helping her team to a 27-4 record. Led the team in assists and was named MVP in both seasons of play. Selected 1st Team All Region and All Conference. Graduate of Clay County High School in Ashland. Team leader in assists. Favorite actress is Halle Berry. Lists her mother as her hero and plans to teach special NAkITA education in elementary or high school after graduation from Columbus State.
#20 HOLT
Junior Post, 6’-1” Bluff City, TN New to CSU, Tranum transfers from former Peach Belt school USC Upstate. Played 26 games in 2 seasons for the Spartans. Graduate of Tennessee High School in Bristol, TN. Averaged 7.9 PPG and 3.7 RPG. Earned All Conference honors and helped her squad to three consecutive conference and district titles. Favorite food is cheese. Favorite actress is Kate Hudson. Enjoys tanning, swimming, sleeping TARA and texting in her spare time. Would love to travel the world someday and lists her family as having the most influence on her.
#34 TRANUM
Sophomore Guard, 5’-7” Lawrenceville, GA 2008-09: Played in 32 games with 18 starts as a freshman. Averaged 6.8 PPG and scored a season high of 15 points over Augusta State. Shot 63% freethrows and 34% 3-pointers. Third on the 08-09 team with 66 assists. Graduate of Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, GA. Four-year player, averaged 12 PPG, 5 APG, and shot 90% freethrows. Member of three state championship teams and Gwinnett County Super Six, and named to NIkkI numerous All-County teams.
#3 URBIZO
Sophomore Forward, 5’-8” Columbus, GA Newcomer to CSU basketball, Blount changes schools and sports by leaving Kennesaw State’s soccer program in 2009. Will sit out 2009 with a knee injury. Graduate of Columbus High School. Played under former Cougar Candace Turner. Averaged 12.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.4 APG and 2.1 steals/game in her senior year. Was All Bi-City Soccer Player of the Year and All Bi-City Female Athlete of the year in 2005-06. Favorite food is shrimp. yASHA Would love to spend the day with Barack Obama. Enjoys shopping in her spare time and would like to visit Australia someday.
#25 BLOUNT
Freshman Forward, 5’-9” Columbus, GA Graduate of Hardaway High School in Columbus. Averaged 14.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3 APG and 2.9 steals per game in her senior season with the Hawks, leading the team to a 24-4 record and a berth in the Georgia Elite Eight. Named Bi-City Player of the Year, All-Region and a Herbert Greene All-Star. Selected MCSD Christmas Tournament MVP. Scored 1,528 points in her HS career.
#4 WEyNAND kELSIE
Favorite food is fettucini pasta. Enjoys playing tennis, soccer, and spending time with family. Would like to go skydiving someday.
Freshman Post, 6’-0” Palm Bay, FL Graduate of Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Palm Bay. Amassed 1,438 career points and averaged 15.2 PPG as a senior. Named MVP in freshman and senior seasons, and named to All Space Coast Team. Favorite food is Mexican. Favorite movie is “Forrest Gump.” Enjoys reading and dancing in her spare time. Would love to go skydiving someday. Lists her parents as having the most influence on her and plans CRySTAL to help the environment after graduation from Columbus State.
#35 ROGERS
Nestled in Georgia’s Chattahoochee River Valley, Columbus State University offers comprehensive learning opportunities to about 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Building on the success of a recent $100 million capital campaign, CSU has renewed its vision of innovative learning environments, dedicated service to community and an uncompromising commitment to education excellence.
CSU’s iconic clock tower in the center of main campus.
Above all else, Columbus State considers itself a teaching university, but its excellence is not confined to the classroom. Students in all majors have rich learning opportunities beyond campus through internships, clinical experiences, study abroad, cooperative education, performances and field research alongside senior professors. Several offcampus centers, including CSU’s Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, Space Science Center and McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians, bolster this mission while also benefiting the region and the state. One of the more exciting recent developments at Columbus State University is the emergence of a new downtown campus devoted to the fine and performing arts. Spectacular new facilities for art, theatre and music include five stages and dozens of state-of-the-art classrooms and studios. The Chattahoochee River, the RiverWalk and more than 300 sophisticated student apartments are within a few blocks, making the CSU RiverPark campus very popular. Construction on a new 96,000 square-foot, $28 million Student Recreation Center began in Summer 2009. The impressive facility both expands and consolidates the recreation options previously available in three separate facilities, and will house an aquatic center for both sport and leisure, a general fitness area, several courts for multiple indoor sports, an indoor track, ballroom, game room, lounges, locker rooms, and student activity and government offices. A grand opening is projected for late 2010. With stellar faculty, impressive facilities and small class sizes, CSU offers a wide range of top-notch educational opportunities, including nationally accredited programs in art, business, nursing, music, theatre and teacher education. The excellence of the university is also available through an expanding variety of online offerings, and an extensive continuing education program. A member of the University System of Georgia, CSU offers more than 50 undergraduate programs and more than 35 master’s or specialist programs ranging from art to pre-med.
2009-10 Columbus State University Women’s Basketball Numerical Roster
# Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Hometown 3 Nikki Urbizo So. G 5’7” Lawrenceville, GA 4 Kelsie Weynand Fr. F 5’9” Columbus, GA 5 Monique Jefferson Sr. G 5’5” Birmingham, AL 10 Renee Jackson Jr. F 5’9” Lawrenceville, GA 12 Deniese Campbell Jr. G 5’4” Hyattsville, MD 20 Nakita Holt Jr. G 5’6” Ashland, AL 22 Ashley Stafford Sr. G 5’9” Moultrie, GA 23 Lauren Ringfield Sr. F 5’9” Lovejoy, GA 24 Chauntel Ferdinand Sr. G 5’8” Lawrenceville, GA 25 Yasha Blount So. F 5’8” Columbus, GA 32 Turelle Jones Sr. G 5’9” Cecil, GA 34 Tara Tranum Jr. P 6’1” Bluff City, TN 35 Crystal Rogers Fr. P 6’0” Palm Bay, FL 42 Phebe Smith Sr. P 6’0” Marietta, GA 44 Hali Moore Sr. P 5’10” Ensley, AL
ead Coach: Jonathan Norton (Columbus State ‘95 & ‘97) H Assistant Coach: Fala Suiaunoa (Northeastern St. ‘04 & ‘06) Graduate Assistant Coach: Mary-Margaret Duncan Student Assistant Coach: Aaron Smith
CSU Women’s Basketball played an exhibition soccer game against Men’s Basketball at the women’s soccer Kick for the Cure event in 2009.
Nov
14 Huntingdon College (Exhibition)
20 Lenoir-Rhyne College
21 Mars Hill College
27 Tusculum College
28 Carson-Newman College
Columbus, GA 2:00 PM
Mars Hill Classic - Mars Hill, NC 8:00 PM Mars Hill Classic - Mars Hill, NC 6:00 PM Hughston Thanksgiving Classic - Columbus, GA 7:30 PM Hughston Thanksgiving Classic - Columbus, GA 4:00 PM
Dec
4 University of West Alabama
5 University of West Florida
8 Valdosta State University
UWF Argo Classic - Pensacola, FL 5:00 PM UWF Argo Classic - Pensacola, FL 5:00 PM Valdosta, GA 6:00 PM
18 University of Tampa
19 Edward Waters College
Chatham Orthopedics Classic - Savannah, GA 1:00 PM Chatham Orthopedics Classic - Savannah, GA 1:00 PM
Jan
2 Fort Valley State University
9 North Georgia College & State University*
Columbus, GA 3:00 PM
Columbus, GA 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30)
10 University of South Carolina, Aiken*
13 Clayton State University*
16 University of North Carolina, Pembroke*
17 Francis Marion University*
Aiken, SC 2:30 PM (Men at 4:30)
Columbus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30)
Pembroke, NC 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30)
Florence, SC 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30) 20 Georgia College & State University* Columbus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30)
Jan
23 Georgia Southwestern University*
28 Lander University*
30 Augusta State University*
Americus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30)
Columbus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30) Columbus, GA 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30)
Feb
3 University of Montevallo*
6 North Georgia College & State University*
11 Flagler College*
13 Armstrong Atlantic State University*
17 Clayton State University*
20 Georgia College & State University*
24 Georgia Southwestern State University*
27 University of Montevallo*
Columbus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30)
Dahlonega, GA 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30) Columbus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30) Columbus, GA 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30) Morrow, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30)
Millegeville, GA 1:30 PM (Men at 3:30) Columbus, GA 5:30 PM (Men at 7:30)
Montevallo, AL 2:30 PM (Men at 4:30)
Mar 1, 5-7 Peach Belt Conference Championships Aiken, SC TBD
12, 13 & 15 NCAA Regionals
Location & Time TBD
23, 24 & 26 NCAA Elite Eight St. Joseph, MO
* Indicates Peach Belt Conference Play. All times are Eastern. Home games at Lumpkin Arena in RED.