Women's Basketball Welcomes Four to 2020-21 Recruiting Class

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Coker University women's basketball welcomes four transfers to its 2020-21 recruiting class, announced today (Wednesday, July 8) by head coach Shannon Johnson. Valicia Demeritte, Alivia Koenig, Ahlea Myers and Je'Nya Wilder will all join the Cobras for the upcoming season.

Demeritte comes to Coker from Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she was a member of the basketball team. As a freshman, she averaged 7.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game and 1.0 assists per game, and as a sophomore contributed 8.0 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game and 2.0 assists per game. She was also a Mid-Florida Conference Second Team All-Conference selection. Previously, ran track and played volleyball and basketball for the Lions of The Potters House Christian Academy. On the hardwood, she was the Most Improved Lion as a senior and also was a member of four SIAA state-qualifier teams. She participated in FIBA for the Women's National Team out of the Bahamas, averaging 13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.0 APG. She led the team to the Carribean Centerbasket U16 Championship and was also named the tournament MVP. Academically, she was named to the 2018 Dean's List at FSC, while previously being named to the All-SIAA Academic Team. She was also selected to the Honor Roll both her junior and senior years of high school.

"Valicia is a very athletic player and will play numerous positions," said Johnson. "She's a leaper and will be able to rebound with great success. She's a smart defender and her quickness will allow her to guard multiple players."

The Nassau, Bahamas native is the daughter of Valerie Watson and Ameretti Demeritte, and plans to major in exercise science.

Koenig comes to Hartsville from Urbana University, where she was a member of the women's basketball and women's golf teams. As a freshman on the basketball team, she appeared in 20 games, averaging 5.7 minutes per game. She also contributed 16 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and one steal. Koenig scored over 1,300 points and drained 249 three-pointers during her career for the Bluffton High School Pirates. She earned All-Northwest Conference First Team honors all four years and was tabbed the conference's Player of the Year as a senior while averaging 12.8 points per game to lead the Pirates to a co-NWC title. She was also named All-Ohio Second Team and All-Northwest Ohio First Team. As a junior, Koenig garnered All-Ohio Honorable Mention and All-Northwest Ohio First Team honors after averaging 14.5 points per game. She was invited to play in the District 8 Coaches Association All-Star Game. Koenig plays club ball for Team Ohio and also totaled seven varsity letters combined in golf and softball at Bluffton High School. Aliva was also a four-time Division II district qualifier for the BHS golf team.

"Alivia is a quick and scrappy player," said Johnson. "She will bring us depth at the point guard position. She will stretch the floor with her three-point shooting range. She's very crafty and energetic on defense."

The St. Mary's, Ohio native is the daughter of Ryan and Shawnna Koenig, and plans to major in sport management.

Myers comes to Coker from Charleston Southern University, where she was a member of the women's basketball team. As a freshman, she earned Big South Player of the Freshman of the Week honors on Dec. 3, 2018 after a career-best 16 points at Georgia. She was a three-sport athlete at Hammond High School, participating in track and field, softball and basketball. She led her team to the 2018 state title, while being named the AAA Player of the Year. She is also the school's most recent 1,000-point scorer. For her high school career, she averaged 14.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.4 APG and 2.9 SPG 

"Ahlea is a true point guard with the ability to score in many different ways," said Johnson. "Her ball-handling skill will create opportunities for herself and others. She's a hard-nosed defender and will help us push the tempo on offense."

The Columbia, S.C. native is the daughter of Toreeka and Roshaun Myers, and plans to major in biology.

Wilder comes to Hartsville from Indian River State College where she was a member of the basketball team. While on the IRSC women's basketball team, she earned the Pioneer Pride MVP Award and also earned First Team All-Conference honors a season ago. Off the court, she was named to the All-Florida Academic Team. Wilder went to IRSC from Central High School where she played basketball and softball and ran track and field for the Chargers. She averaged 12.0 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 APG and 2.1 SPG in high school, while being named the team's MVP in 2016-17 and 2017-18. She was voted the team's top defensive player, and also garnered a First Team All-Region selection in 2017-18. 

"Je'Nya is a dynamic player with the ability to score in various ways," said Johnson. "She has the quickness to get by defenders as well as the range to shoot from beyond the arc. She led her team in steals with her ability to play in the passing lanes on defense."

The Locust Grove, Ga. native is the daughter of Tomekia Wilder, and plans to major in exercise science.

The group adds to three freshmen coming in for Coker University women's basketball this year.