SHEPHERD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNS PAIR

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University head women's basketball coach Jodie Runner announced that Tanya Powers (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin HS) and Camille Wilmer (Leesburg, VA/Loudoun County HS) have signed the national letters-of-intent to play for the women's basketball team in the 2006-2007 season.

Powers is a decorated power forward from Harrisburg, Pennsylvanai. As a Central Dauphin Ram, Powers has proven herself to be an elite post player. She averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds her junior year and expects to exceed the 1,000 point scoring mark and 750-rebound plateau. She participates in one of the toughest conferences in Pennsylvania - Mid Penn AAAA Commonwealth.

"Tanya is one of a handful of Central Dauphin players who will have played in the varsity program for four seasons," said Central Dauphin head coach Bill Wolf. "Tanya was named to the 2005 Mid-State Big 15 Team recognizing her as one of the top high school players in central Pennsylvania. She should have an outstanding college career at Shepherd, She is a post player who has a solid inside game and is an outstanding outside shooter."

Her team currently stands 2-0 after defending two of the top teams in the state - including Downingtown East #3 in PA - this past weekend in Central Dauphin's Tip-Off Tournament. Powers made the All-Tournament team and had combined stats of 21 points and 18 boards.

Powers' basketball accomplishments are as follows: Patriot News Players to Watch, Patriot News Top Underclassman, Patriot News Big 15, Mid Penn All-Star, Keystone Gold Medal, Keystone Most Valuable Player and High Scorer, All-Lewistown Tournament Team, All-Central Dauphin Ram Tournament Team, and various AAU All-Star teams.

Long Island University, University of New Hampshire, Central Florida, and Kansas were just a few of the many schools recruiting Powers.

Wilmer, a 6-0 post player from Leesburg, Virginia, plays for Loudoun County High School. Participating in 71 varsity games at Loudoun County she has started all of them. Wilmer averages 13.5 points and seven rebounds for the Raiders. She is expected to reach the 1,000-point mark this season.

"Our team is considered the preseason favorite to win the Dulles District this year," Loudoun County head coach Kevin Reed said. "Camille has dedicated herself this off-season to being the premier post player in our district and region. Camille has excellent footwork and great touch around the basket. She has a variety of moves and is versatile enough to step out and consistently hit the 18-foot jump shot. Defensively, Camille understands post positioning and is quick enough to step out and guard the other teams forwards and guards. Shepherd will definitely benefit from the addition of Camille. She is a hard worker who strives to get better everyday."

Wilmer's team defeated top district contender and defending district champions, Broad Run High on Tuesday. Wilmer posted 14 points and nine boards in leading her team to a first time victory over the Spartans.

Wilmer's basketball accomplishments are as follows: Dulles All-District team her sophomore and junior year, unanimous first team All-District her junior year; MVP of the Broadway Invitational; and first team All-Extra member, which is a team selected by the Washington Post that consider surrounding metro area counties.

Wilmer was recognized two years ago at the University of North Carolina camp by their coaching staff as a mid-major prospect. Before making her decision to become a Shepherd Ram, she was being recruited by UNC-Wilmington, Virginia Commonwealth, Maryland-Eastern Shore, and Wofford.

"We are thrilled to sign Tanya and Camille early in the signing period," stated Shepherd head coach Jodie Runner. "I am sure they are both happy to relax and enjoy their senior seasons. These young ladies will be a tremendous asset to our women's basketball program here at Shepherd. They bring size and physical play into the post while also bringing a shooter's touch that can extend out to the perimeter. We feel very fortunate that both Tanya and Camille have chosen Shepherd University to continue their basketball and academic careers. They are already a part of our family."