MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama women's basketball head coach Terry Fowler announced Thursday that Christen Carter (Jacksonville, Fla.) and India Hall (Antioch, Tenn.) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Jaguar women's roster during the 2015-16 season.  Carter and Hall are the only expected signees for this fall.
    
Christen Carter
Jacksonville, Fla. – The Bolles School
AAU Club – Central Florida Elite
5-10 – Forward

Carter is entering her final season at The Bolles School located in Jacksonville, Fla., where she has been a member of the varsity squad since eighth grade for head coach Kelley Stevenson.  Carter had 16 points and seven rebounds in Bolles' season-opening win on Tuesday.

"First of all, Christen is a really bright young lady both in the classroom and on the basketball court," Fowler said.  "Athletically, she is a stretch-four type player.  She has long arms so she has the ability to guard anyone in the post as well as out on the perimeter.  She's a hard worker and does a great job of finishing around the basket.  Christen is an unselfish player and a really good passer and that's something we keep trying to add to our team.  I'm really excited about her.  She has a high basketball IQ and has played on a really good AAU basketball program – one of the tops in the country.  Christen has an unbelievable high school coach (Kelley Stevenson) who played at the University of Florida and has just been an outstanding coach, so she's going to come in fundamentally prepared. "

During her prep career, she has recorded 1,051 points and pulled down 888 rebounds.  She also has 317 steals and 90 blocks during that time.  Carter has been a honorable mention all-First Coast selection by the Times Union each of the last four seasons.

"Christen Carter is an amazing student-athlete who has led our team as the captain for the last three years," Stevenson said.  "She works just as hard in the classroom as she does on the court.  She sees the floor extremely well and is excellent at running the floor.  She is a good rebounder and passer along with a great teammate who is very unselfish.   She also leads the school in double doubles."

As a junior, Carter led the Bulldogs to a 25-4 overall record and an 8-0 conference mark.  In 29 games, she averaged 10.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per outing.  Carter shot 41 percent from the floor, knocking down 124 of her 305 shot attempts.  She scored double figures 16 times and pulled down double-figure rebound tallies on nine occasions playing at both the small and power forward positions.  

At the defensive end of the floor, Carter had 113 steals and 32 blocks, averaging 3.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

During her sophomore campaign, Carter was just as solid, registering 10.6 ppg and 9.0 rpg in 23 games for Bolles, while also finishing with 73 steals and 32 blocks.  

Carter chose to sign with South Alabama after also being recruited by Long Island University in New York.

India Hall
Antioch, Tenn. – Brentwood Academy
AAU Club – Tennessee Pride
6-2 – Forward/Center

A member of the varsity team since her freshman season, Hall has been a starter for head coach Rhonda Brown the past two seasons at Brentwood Academy located in Brentwood, Tenn., just outside of Nashville.  During her previous three seasons, Hall as recorded 512 points and 378 rebounds.

"We bring in more size with the addition of India," Fowler said of the 6-2 post player.  "We're continuing to try to build that aspect up in our program.  India plays for an outstanding program in Brentwood Academy.  She has an outstanding coach in Rhonda Brown.  India had a great summer this past year with the Tennessee Pride Black team.  I believe they were 16-2 or something like that.  She has great size and can finish around the basket.  She gets on the floor after loose balls and has a great upside.  I'm looking forward to her joining our roster, because she brings some tenacity to our program and has a winning attitude.  She's been a winner at many different levels."

Last season, Hall was a key member of Brentwood's state championship squad, which ended the year with a 23-6 record and defeated Ensworth High School, 48-44 for the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Division II-AA title.  For her play at the championship event, Hall was named to the all-tournament team.  

As a junior, Hall averaged 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds and was shot 54 percent from the field.  She also averaged a block per game in her 24 outings and scored 211 points and pulled down 144 rebounds

Hall is said by her prep coach to have such a strong post presence that defenses were forced to double team her a majority of the time.  

This season, Hall will be looked on to be more of a scorer this season.   The Eagles won their season-opener earlier this week where Hall had nine points and five rebounds.  She was 3-of-3 from the field and also had three free throws.

"India is kind of a late bloomer, so she has a huge upside," Brown said.  "She's a great kid and will be a great teammate.  She's going to work hard out on the court.  As India continues to mature, she will be a solid post presence for South Alabama."

Hall is just 16 years old heading into her senior season.  

Hall signed with the Jaguars after being recruited by Southeast Missouri State, Central Arkansas, Murray State, Campbell and Tennessee State.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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