Women’s Basketball
Head Coach Tisha England names Ike Williams to staff
May 14th
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Tisha England is excited to announce the hiring of Isiah “Ike” Williams to her Women’s Basketball staff as an assistant coach. Coach Williams has been a fixture in women’s basketball for over 24 years serving as a coach in AAU organizations Carolina Pacers and Carolina Express along with coach at Newton Conover and Statesville High School during this time.
Coach Williams has been the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Newton-Conover High School the last two years were he compiled a 40-15 record two CVAC Tournament Championships and one regular season CVAC championship. Coach Williams had 5 selections to All-Conference team and 3 to the All-District team. This group included current Buccaneers student-athlete Kadesha Gibbs who was an All-Conference player and second team All-District in 2012. Prior to Newton-Conover Coach Williams was the Associate Head Coach at Statesville High School from 2007-2010 where his team compiled a 72-21 record and made the 3A NCHSAA Western Sectional Semifinals all 3 years. Statesville High School claimed the Western Piedmont Conference Championship twice and was Tournament Champions all 3 years.
Coach Williams also served as the Head Coach and Basketball Director for the Carolina Pacers AAU organization since 2007. His teams have finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the AAU western Regionals, 3rd and 4th in the NC AAU State Finals, and 23rd and 31st in the National AAU Tournament. He has had multiple players continue on to play at the collegiate level and has coached 4 players named as a Top 200 women’s basketball recruit in the nation. Prior to the Pacers organization Coach Williams coached for the Carolina Express were he had multiple Region and State top 3 finishes along with having teams ranked nationally in the AAU at 19th, 21st, 25th, and 45th.
Coach Williams has coached multiple athletes onto college such as Clemson University, Boston University, Lenoir Rhyne University, Wingate University and Catawba Valley Community College. Coach Williams lives in Hickory, NC where he enjoys family time with his wife, Shannon and his two children, Autumn 14 and Errington 10.
“I am excited to be able to work with Ike on a Collegiate Level.” Says Head Coach Tisha England, “Our coaching philosophy, values, morals and just the love for people are unified. We are looking forward to continue the success here at CVCC one day at a time”.
Women’s Basketball Coaches Past and Present are Honored Tonight
May 13th
The CVCC Athletic Department is excited to announce that two of their own will be inducted into the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame. Former Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tommy Edwards and current Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tisha England will be named in a ceremony held tonight at the Tarlton Complex on CVCC’s campus.
Former Women's Basketball Head Coach: Tommy Edwards
Head Women's Basketball Coach: Tisha England
It is an exciting day for CVCC Athletics and the two individuals being honored for all their accomplishments. While they are both being honored for their successful athletic careers the most important attribute they have is their love of all students and their love of the game of basketball. Not only have both successfully coached great teams and created a program of excellence, but have seen athletes graduate and move on in their college career sending players to colleges such as UNC-Asheville, Montreat College and Brevard College to not only finish their career in basketball but to obtain a 4 year degree. Tonight as the two are honored the past and future of the CVCC Women’s Basketball team will be on display in bright lights and not just the coaches but all of the former student-athletes they have coached will truly be honored.
Anika Jones Jersey in WBBall Hall of Fame
May 8th
Freshman Anika Jones. Holding Jersey which will be displayed in the WBHOF.
“The Ring of Honor is an exhibit at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame where we honor the nation’s top players at every level,” said Josh Sullivan, Director of Basketball Relations for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. “To have your jersey on display at the Hall of Fame is a huge privilege and we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of these young athletes.”
The Ring of Honor is one of the many unique displays of the Hall of Fame. Not only does the Ring of Honor provide a colorful backdrop at the Hall of Fame’s many exhibits, but it also recognizes some young basketball players for their achievements in their sport. By acknowledging the athletes, the Hall of Fame is able to fulfill its mission to “honor the past, celebrate the present and promote the future” of women’s basketball.
Currently, the Ring of Honor consists of over 100 jerseys hanging from the rafters of the back rotunda at the Hall of Fame. The display includes jerseys of the top high school and college players from the 2012-2013 season. The Ring of Honor has displayed jerseys from some of the best players in the world including Candace Parker, Britney Griner, Sue Bird, and Candice Wiggins.
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, opened in 1999, is located in Knoxville, Tenn. The Hall of Fame is the only facility of its kind, dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. For more information on the Ring of Honor or the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame visit www.wbhof.com or call (865) 663-9000.
Tisha England Named New Women’s Basketball Coach
Apr 24th
Catawba Valley Community College Athletics is excited to announce the naming of new Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tisha England. Coach England, will only be the second coach in CVCC Women’s Basketball history. She will take over the program she has helped as an Assistant Coach for the last three seasons. During her time she has helped guide the program to new heights with an overall record of 67-23 and a 30-1 record this last season which included the first Carolinas-Virginia Conference Championship. Previous to her time at CVCC, Coach England served as an Assistant Coach for Newton-Conover High School which went 56-8 and lost in Regional Finals both years to eventual state champions Salisbury High School. Coach England also served as a personal assistant in the NBA and was the Director at the J.D. Lever 21st Afterschool Program in Aiken, SC.
Coach England excelled at the game of basketball starting in her high school career at Newton-Conover where she was able to letter in Basketball and Softball for four years and was a 1,000 point scorer in Basketball. Coach England was named team MVP for all four seasons she participated in, was a three time All-State selection, and was named to the All-USA first team. She was also named Western Regional Player of the Year, Charlotte Observer Player of the Year, Greensboro Player of the Year, Gatorade Circle of Champions Player of the Year, and Kodak High School All-American. Following her last season Newton-Conover honored her by retiring her #32 jersey, the first and only jersey retired at Newton-Conover.
Upon graduating Newton-Conover High School she went on to play college basketball at USC Aiken where she graduated in 1993 with a BA in Education. In her first two seasons she participated in the NAIA and was named AWSF Fast Break All-American as a freshman and was a NAIA All-Conference and All-District selection in both her freshman and sophomore years. After her sophomore year the school transitioned into the NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference. In the teams inaugural season in the Peach Belt Conference Coach England led the team to a Conference Championship and was named Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, she followed up in her senior year claiming the Player of the Year award for the second time, being the only USC Aiken basketball player to receive the award twice. Despite playing just two years in the NCAA she still ranked 4th at the school as an All-Time scoring leader. She also still holds the school and conference record for scoring average at 20.0 points per game. As the same in her high school career Coach England had her #32 jersey retired at the completion of her career.
As a player Coach England left the game as one of the most decorated players for her multiple accomplishments and contributions to the game. Coach England has been inducted into four hall of fames for her accomplishments. For three of the hall of fames she was selected in the inaugural class making her one of the first athletes given her the honor. On November 30, 2007 she was named to the inaugural Hall of Fame for USC Aiken, on November 10, 2010 she was named to the inaugural Hall of Fame at Newton-Conover High School, and on May 19, 2012 she was named to the inaugural All-Time NAIA District Six Women’s Basketball Team. This May 13, 2013 she will enter the Catawba Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
Coach England will continue her position at the CVCC Learning Assistance Center as a Learning Skills Specialist. During the last 3 years Coach England has displayed her love to work with all CVCC students, faculty and staff. She has helped improve the academic quality for CVCC student-athletes and continues to strive for improvement in the graduation rates and continued learning for all CVCC student-athletes.
Anika Jones Selected First Team All-American
Apr 9th
The CVCC Buccaneers Women’s Basketball team is proud to announce the naming of freshman, Anika Jones, to the NJCAA First Team All-American Squad for DII Women’s Basketball. Jones is the first, First Team selection from CVCC in the last ten years and the first Women’s Basketball player named to the All-American squad.
Jones finished the season with 586 points (6th in the nation) and averaged 18.9 points per game (15th in the nation). She shot an amazing 56.6 from the field to be ranked 8th in the nation, which helped the entire CVCC squad be 2nd in the nation with a 45.7 shooting percentage. Jones also logged 89 steals (24th in the nation) and averaged 5 rebounds a game.
“I am so proud of Anika being named to the First Team All-American squad,” said Coach Tommy Edwards. “Anika has put in countless hours of work and preparation to improve and refine her game. This award is a great honor for her and her teammates to enjoy amidst their success in this last season. I know Anika will continue to improve, and the sky is the limit for her and her basketball ability.”
#10 Anika Jones. Copyright SportsFotos
Jones was only 1 of 7 freshmen named an All-American. This selection marks the 3rd straight season with a Buccaneer being selected to the All-American Squad with Jennifer Beatty (Volleyball) and Daniel Fraga (Baseball) each being named to the second team All-American Squad during this last year.