Highlanders Add Local Standout Fertitta

Radford, Va. -- Radford University’s women’s basketball program signed Northside High School standout Corrie Fertitta (Roanoke, Va.) to a National Letter of Intent, announced head coach Jeri Porter. Fertitta will join the Highlanders for the 2004-05 academic year.

A 6-1 forward, Fertitta helped lead Northside to 95-20 record over her four-year career. During that time, the three-time Blue Ridge District first-teamer broke the school record with 1,340 points, while pulling down 852 rebounds and dishing out 167 assists for the Lady Vikings.

“Corrie represents the very best that Southwest Virginia has to offer and we are pleased and very proud that she has chosen to continue her already impressive career here at Radford University,” states Porter. “She possesses the versatility and athleticism to fit very well into our up tempo style and her ability to play both facing the basket and with her back to the basket should make her a very important addition right away.”

This past year she led her team to a 24-2 record and a fourth straight trip to the AA final four, averaging 16. 1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting 50 percent from the field. With that final four appearance, she became the first female in Virginia High School League history to play in four state final fours. A Blue Ridge District and Region III Player of the Year, Fertitta was named first team all-state and will participate in the Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star Game this summer at Hampton University.

Fertitta joins fall signees, Ashley Thomas (Jessup, Md./Riverhill HS), Kelly Darden (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River HS) and Serena White (Durham, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons HS) and University of Pittsburgh transfer Shavon Earp (Hampton, Va./Hampton HS) completing RU’s 2003-04 newcomer class.