JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman College Women’s Basketball Team has already received two commitments for the 2010-11 season, Head Coach Dean Walsh announced today. The Lady Eagles will welcome Shannon Depew and Chante Markus to Mossy Creek next fall.

Depew (Newport, Tenn.), a 6-0 post/guard combo from Cocke County High School, is listed as a Tennessee Top 25 player by Basketball Time in Tennessee magazine and turned down several NCAA Division I offers to come to Carson-Newman.

As a junior last season, she put up 14 points and 11 rebounds per game, shooting 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three while making 81 percent of her free throws for the Lady Red. Depew is also a two-time member of the All-Northeast Tennessee Team.

“We are very excited to have a player of Shannon’s caliber end up with our program,” said Walsh. “She is a three-tool athlete with the ability to shoot out to three, defend, and pass the ball. She will bring added size to the post position but also play the three for us. Shannon is a perfect fit for our style of play.”

“I wanted to stay close to home so that my family and friends could see me continue to play basketball at the next level,” said Depew, who has averaged 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for her career thus far. “I really like the coaching staff at Carson-Newman; they care about their players. I also like that it is a small school and I feel that will help with my education.”

“Carson-Newman is a great fit for Shannon,” said Cocke County head coach Wade Wester. “It is a huge weight off her shoulders to have made this decision. Shannon has the passion and work ethic to be a great player at the next level; she is the first person in the gym and the last to leave and has a ‘refuse to lose’ attitude. This is a terrific reward for her hard work thus far.”

Markus (Hummelstown, Pa.) is a 5-6 guard, who has played three seasons at Lower Dauphin High School and led the Falcons to three conference championships, and was named the league player of the year as a junior last year. She averaged 15 points, seven assists and three steals last season and was selected as a member of the “Big 15” as one of the top 15 players in central Pennsylvania. Markus is also a two-time MVP of the Penn/Maryland Shootout.

“Chante gives us a physical point guard who can and will play the off-guard because of her ability to shoot the three with range,” said Walsh of Markus. “She has a high basketball IQ and has been well coached. We look forward to having her wear the Orange and Blue next season.”

“I felt like the coaching staff, the girls on the team and the overall style of play fit perfectly for what I was looking for in a college program,” commented Markus. “When I came on my recruiting visit, the players made me feel welcome and almost like I was already a part of the team.”

Carson-Newman finished last year with a 19-11 record and its third trip to the NCAA Tournament in five years. The Lady Eagles played three exhibition games against Top 25-ranked NCAA Division I teams to start this season.

Carson-Newman will continue its four-game home stretch to open the 2009-10 season Wednesday evening when its hosts Augusta State University at 6:00 p.m. at Holt Fieldhouse.