Kelsey Bone, a 6-foot-5 senior post who is the No. 2 ranked player in the ESPN HoopGurlz Hundred, announced that she will attend the University of South Carolina. Bone's presence will fill a serious void for the Gamecocks, who played much of the conference portion of the 2008-2009 season with 4-5 guards in the lineup after an injury to 6-4 senior post Demetress Adams and were forced to use undersized players at post positions. Bone had previously stated that she would announce her decision during the McDonald's All-American game. The cheering from Columbia, SC could be heard from the Arch in St. Louis.

 

Bone is the highest ranked player to sign with the Gamecocks since they became members of the Southeastern Conference.  Bone currently attends Dulles High School in Sugar Land, TX, where she averages 19 points per game, 8.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

 

Bone was also presented with the 2009 Morgan Wootten Award. The award recognizes the nation's top high school senior who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student-athlete in both her schoolwork and community affairs. Past winners include Maya Moore ('07), Tina Charles ('06) and Candace Parker ('04).

 

Did I mention that you could hear the cheers from Columbia SC to St. Louis, MO???  For fans who lived through the Gamecocks' difficult 08-09 season, 2010 just got a whole lot more interesting.