Patriot women sign Columbia cager

FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University women’s basketball coach Heather Macy has announced the signing of 5-7 guard Kristen Dickerson of Columbia, S.C., to a national letter of intent during the recent early signing period.

Dickerson is a senior at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she is a four-year starter and is averaging 23.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 steals, and 2.1 assists per game this season.

Dickerson is ranked among the Top 65 point guards in the 2009 class by Dan Olson’s Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. The report also stated, “Francis Marion has solidified its backcourt with a versatile combo-guard ideal for FMU’s style of play. This player will continue to give Coach Macy a nationally competitive element to the program.”

As a junior, Dickerson averaged 16 ppg while Heathwood Hall posted a 30-4 record and advanced to the state title game. She was named the SCISA Region II-AAA Tournament most valuable player, was selected to the State Tournament All-Tournament Team, and earned All-Region honors for the second consecutive year. She was also selected to play in the SCISA North-South All-Star Game for the second time.

She has earned All-State honors from the High School Sports Report for both basketball and track. The 2008 Highlander track squad won the state championship.

Dickerson has also played with the 16 Elite GA/LINA 76ers summer team.

Of her new recruit, Macy said “Kristen is a winner! She competes at every position and is a natural leader.She will flourish in our system and at FMU.”

Macy’s current Francis Marion squad is 11-1 and leads the nation in scoring offense.

By Michael G. Hawkins