VALDOSTA —
Lowndes center Courtne Washington has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for South Georgia Technical College.
Washington looks forward to moving on and playing basketball at the college level.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “It’s a big step.”
South Georgia Technical College’s main campus is in Americus, about 118 miles from Valdosta. Washington is happy that her future college is close enough to home that her family will be able to drive to Americus to watch her play, especially her dad, who is her biggest fan.
The 6-foot-tall Washington was a key player for Lowndes last year. She was the Vikettes’ tallest player, their second-leading rebounder and she played a big role at both ends of the court. She was also second on the team in field goal percentage, and made both of her three-point attempts.
“Her upside is unbelievable. We still haven’t seen her best basketball,” Lowndes head coach Shan Garner said. “They just don’t build kids that size that can do those kind of things.”
South Georgia Technical College is a two-year residential college located in Americus. The school has approximately 3,550 students. The school’s women’s basketball team competes in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
“It has a nice campus. It’s close to home. The coaches are very nice, and I respect them,” Washington said.
“(The coaches) like my size, and how they can work with me to make me better, in school and in basketball.”
Last season, South Georgia Technical College went 24-3 in officially-contested games. At one point, the Lady Jets won 17 games in a row, before losing to Georgia Perimeter in the finals of the state junior college tournament.
Lowndes won at least 21 games and made the postseason all three years that Washington played for the varsity team. Last season, the Vikettes went 25-4 and won the Region 1-AAAAA regular season and tournament championships, and made it to the second round of the state playoffs. During the three years that Washington played on the varsity team, the Vikettes went 68-19.
“It was awesome,” Washington said. “It was the best four years of my life. My team is my family. We got along. They picked you up when you needed picking up.”
Washington enjoys playing basketball.
“It’s my escape. I can do whatever I want to. It’s just my way to express myself,” she said. “I’ve played since I was six years old.”
She plans to major in art in college.
Washington is one of five Vikettes who have signed with colleges. Point guard Danyelle Jones is going to Georgia Southwestern, guard Natalia Adams and forward Kenya Durden are heading to Brewton-Parker and guard Ziyadah Rashadeen is going to Albany Technical College.
“It’s awesome,” Garner said. “That’s what it’s about, giving these kids a chance to start their future. ... I’m happy. This group (had) 25 wins (this season). I knew they had a chance to be special at the beginning of the year.”
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Related Photos
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Lowndes center Courtne Washington signs her letter of intent to play basketball for South Georgia Technical College. Seated: sister Taliyah Washington, father Alex Washington, Courtne Washington and sister Trinady Washington. Standing: Lowndes assistant coach Drew Copeland, South Georgia Technical College head coach Brandan Harrell and assistant coach Demitrius Colson, uncle Dexter Washington, aunt Stephanie Washington and Lowndes head coach Shan Garner. Christian Malone | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Lowndes’ Courtne Washington headed to South Georgia Tech
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