Two Lady Panthers’ basketball players, who verbally committed to Georgia Tech last year as juniors, made it official Wednesday morning as they signed on the dotted line.
Forward LaQuananisha Adams and point guard Metra Walthour, both 17 and seniors this year, were chosen by the Yellow Jackets together, not only due to their basketball skills but academically as well.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Lady Panthers head coach Carolyn Kelley said. “They are both straight-A students and they play well together in their respective positions. They worked so hard. They deserve it,” she said.
As a special treat, the two young ladies went to Fort Stewart to sign their papers where Adams’ father Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Adams watched through a live video feed at the VTC. He is currently stationed in Japan.
“I wish I could have been there, but this is the next best thing to being there, doing this VTC all the way from Japan,” he said. “I am so proud that I don’t even have the words to express at this time. I am overwhelmed. I’m about to tear up.”
The two young women received full scholarships worth over $100,000.
Walthour said that while playing basketball she plans to study engineering while Adams plans to go into nursing.
“These two young women set personal goals when they were freshman to come out and play at division one level and they accomplished what they set out to do,” Kelley said. “They are the true examples of student athletes. They worked extremely hard in the classroom and carried it out to the basketball court.”
Walthour has been playing basketball since the fourth grade and said she is excited about Georgia Tech.
“I’ve been playing basketball for a long time and now to be able to play as a Yellow Jacket is exciting. But more importantly, I will get the education I wanted to become an engineer. That, to me, is more important.
Adams started playing basketball in the ninth grade when coach Kelley watched her playing for the Liberty County Recreation Department.
“I actually started playing volleyball and then started to play at the recreation league,” Adams said. “Coach Kelley saw me and took me under her guidance and helped me to be the player I am now.”
Together, these two helped propel a very young Lady Panthers team to the playoffs last season and were the top two scorers for the team.
“I love the fact that I know where we are both at on the court and I know I can count on Nisha to get the points if I get her the ball,” Walthour said. “I set high goals for myself. I will try and be a leader for our team (Lady Panthers) and I will try and take my game to the next level.
“I feel very excited because I know that I achieved something real big and I know I can do good things at Georgia Tech and help them to a championship,” Adams said.
In addition to Adams’ father via satellite, she was joined by her mother, Sharon Adams and her little brother Carl Jr. Walthour was joined by her father, Earnest Walthour Sr., and mother, Theresa Lingard.
Forward LaQuananisha Adams and point guard Metra Walthour, both 17 and seniors this year, were chosen by the Yellow Jackets together, not only due to their basketball skills but academically as well.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Lady Panthers head coach Carolyn Kelley said. “They are both straight-A students and they play well together in their respective positions. They worked so hard. They deserve it,” she said.
As a special treat, the two young ladies went to Fort Stewart to sign their papers where Adams’ father Command Sgt. Maj. Carl Adams watched through a live video feed at the VTC. He is currently stationed in Japan.
“I wish I could have been there, but this is the next best thing to being there, doing this VTC all the way from Japan,” he said. “I am so proud that I don’t even have the words to express at this time. I am overwhelmed. I’m about to tear up.”
The two young women received full scholarships worth over $100,000.
Walthour said that while playing basketball she plans to study engineering while Adams plans to go into nursing.
“These two young women set personal goals when they were freshman to come out and play at division one level and they accomplished what they set out to do,” Kelley said. “They are the true examples of student athletes. They worked extremely hard in the classroom and carried it out to the basketball court.”
Walthour has been playing basketball since the fourth grade and said she is excited about Georgia Tech.
“I’ve been playing basketball for a long time and now to be able to play as a Yellow Jacket is exciting. But more importantly, I will get the education I wanted to become an engineer. That, to me, is more important.
Adams started playing basketball in the ninth grade when coach Kelley watched her playing for the Liberty County Recreation Department.
“I actually started playing volleyball and then started to play at the recreation league,” Adams said. “Coach Kelley saw me and took me under her guidance and helped me to be the player I am now.”
Together, these two helped propel a very young Lady Panthers team to the playoffs last season and were the top two scorers for the team.
“I love the fact that I know where we are both at on the court and I know I can count on Nisha to get the points if I get her the ball,” Walthour said. “I set high goals for myself. I will try and be a leader for our team (Lady Panthers) and I will try and take my game to the next level.
“I feel very excited because I know that I achieved something real big and I know I can do good things at Georgia Tech and help them to a championship,” Adams said.
In addition to Adams’ father via satellite, she was joined by her mother, Sharon Adams and her little brother Carl Jr. Walthour was joined by her father, Earnest Walthour Sr., and mother, Theresa Lingard.