JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman women's basketball coach Mike Mincey announced Friday morning the signings of Harli Smith and Braelyn Wykle to join the Lady Eagles in the fall of 2019.
The nationally-ranked club will need to replace one of the most prolific senior classes in the history of school next season. Three of the players will be in the school's 1,000-point club by graduation.
Harli Smith – 5-9 – Guard – Jamestown, Tenn.
Smith has proven to be an elite scorer for the York Institute entering her senior season with 1,290 career points. As a true freshman, the guard averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and nearly three steals. After upping those numbers across the board as sophomore, Smith racked up 10 double-doubles as a junior registering 16 points, seven caroms, three helpers and a trio of pilfers per game a season ago. In the classroom, she is a member of the National Honors Society and Renaissance Club.
Mincey on Smith: "We are excited to sign another versatile Tennessee player like Harli. She fits into our system well and is a dual threat scoring with her back to the basket and making shots from the perimeter. Harli knows the game well and when you consider her academics and character, she will be a great addition to our roster. We look forward to her arrival in August."
Braelyn Wykle – 5-5 – Guard – Greeneville, Tenn.
Wykle is the younger sister of current senior guard Ashton who is approaching the top 10 in program history for made triples. Braelyn has put together a starring career at South Greene piling up 1,646 points through three seasons making 44 percent from long range and 86 percent at the line. For her career, she is averaging 17 points, 2.4 assists, 2.3 steals and nearly three rebounds. On top of being an All-State selection, Wykle has led the Rebels to a pair of state championships. The guard has been tabbed District and Region MVP as well as a state All-Tournament team pick. On Tuesday night, Dec. 4, Wykle scored 40 points against Greeneville in a 73-59 win. Wykle also starred on the volleyball court where she was a MaxPreps All-American. Her father, David, played baseball at Tennessee Tech and her mother, Tamara, played basketball at Tusculum.
Mincey on Wykle: "Braelyn is a very intelligent basketball player and will be a great addition at the point guard spot. We are excited she will be following her sister Ashton's footsteps in becoming a Lady Eagle. We lose three seniors that all share point guard responsibilities so adding a capable ball handler like Braelyn was of great importance. Braelyn is a scoring point guard which is what we like at C-N. Like Harli, her academics and character off the floor is another reason both these players will be successful for us."
For the latest updates on the Lady Eagles be sure to stay tuned into cneagles.com and on Twitter by following @CNathletics and @CNwbasketball.
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