Cobras Ink Two Division I Transfers
HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Coker women’s basketball inks two Division I transfers, as announced by coach Shannon Johnson. Janea’ Williams and Erin Houser will begin their Cobra careers in the 2017-2018 season.
Williams, a 6’3″ forward/center graduate student, played at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington before signing with the Cobras. As a redshirt junior this past season, she played in twenty-five games averaging 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Versus Drexel, Williams tied her career high 10 points and the following game, against James Madison, grabbed eight rebounds. While sitting out the 15-16 season to fulfill NCAA residency requirements, she was the recipient of CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award. Prior to her time at UNC-W, Williams spent two seasons with the North Florida Ospreys as a two-year letter winner. As a sophomore, she set her career high rebounds with 12 at Lipscomb. Williams blocked 38 shots the same year, finishing with the fourth-most blocks in UNF single-season history.
During her time at Pinecrest High School as a Patriot, Williams was a three-sport athlete in track, volleyball, and basketball. As a four-year letter winner, she earned multiple all-district, all-conference, and all-region selections. She finished fourth in the state in high jump in 2013. Academically, she graduated with honors and was designated a NC Scholar.
Coach Shannon Johnson raves, “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Janea’ to the Hartsville community as she will be pursuing her master’s degree while playing for us. Janea’ will provide leadership to our team with her previous collegiate experience. She will bring a huge presence in the post on both ends of the floor. She will make an immediate impact to our team and is an essential piece of our Cobra family.”
The Pinehurst, N.C. native is the daughter of Lisa Williams and will be pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Criminology.
Houser, a 6’2″ small/power forward sophomore, comes over from North Carolina Central University. She was named Rookie of the Week in November 2016 when she scored a career high 19 points versus Johnson & Wales. Averaging 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds, Houser saw action in twenty-four games while starting one.
As a high school athlete for the Orangeburg-Wilkinson Bruinettes, Houser was named Region 8 3A Player of the Year, All-State, All-Area, and All-Region. She averaged 12.8 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists per game. Houser was ranked as one of the top twenty women’s basketball players in the state of South Carolina.
“We are extremely excited about Erin returning to her home state and joining our Cobra family to finish out her career,” said head women’s basketball coach Shannon Johnson. “Erin will come in with collegiate experience, and with her versatility, she will be able to make an impact on both ends of the floor. Erin can score the ball in multiple ways and we are looking forward to what she will bring to the team.”
The Orangeburg, S.C. native is the daughter of Shamika Randolph and Eric Houser. She plans to major in social work.
