JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman women's basketball coach Mike Mincey announced the addition of two players, Addison Byrd and Madison Bunch, to the 2017-18 recruiting class Wednesday morning to join the Lady Eagles.
Byrd is competing during her senior season at Wilson Central High School just east of Nashville. The guard reached the 1,000-point plateau as a junior leading the Wildcats to a 33-1 record. She is a three-time all-district and earned a spot on the all-region team a season ago. Byrd registered 14 points and four rebounds per in 2015-16.
This season the Wildcats have started the season 5-0. In those five outings, Byrd has posted 26 points on two occasions against Summit High and McGavock. In a 56-27 win over Marshall County, she tallied 23 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging 21.5 points per night this year.
"Addison was exactly what we were looking for in terms of a small forward," Mincey said. "She is athletic, strong and plays very physical and aggressive. She can shoot with range and also put the ball on the floor. She will fit into our system well and will add a little toughness to our squad. She plays for a great coach (John Wild) and her team at Wilson Central has been one of the winningest teams in the state.
"Last summer Addison played AAU with the Kentucky Premier and will be the first player we have signed from that club. In addition to her ability on the floor, she is also an outstanding student and will do extremely well at Carson-Newman. We look forward to her arrival and feel like she will have an opportunity to compete right away."
Bunch goes to Morristown East and excels in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She will participate on the hardwood and in track at Carson-Newman. In a Feb. 12, 2015 contest Bunch helped the Lady Hurricanes as a No. 4 seed in a Region 1-AAA Tournament game over Mika Wester's Cocke County group with 15 points.
She is a 5'6" high jumper at this point which would provisionally qualify her for nationals at the Division II level. Bunch also does some distance events finishing third at the Class AAA Sectionals and participates in cross country and was named second-team PrepXtra all-area.
"Madison is another local product with a huge upside," Mincey said. "She has been a three-sport star in high school and has excelled at all three. She is an all-state performer in track, was her district's Player of the Year in volleyball and does a great job on the basketball floor as well. Even though she will be a dual-sport athlete with both basketball and track, I believe she will have more time to devote to basketball which should see her game blossom. Madison possesses the athleticism and size to be a solid college basketball player and we look forward to seeing that happen. Madison is also lucky to have a great coach in Mike Potts and played many years with the TN Lady Trotters."
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