From the hunter to the hunted… Whitson trading in Warrior uniform to become a Lady Cougar
Published 2:53 pm Tuesday, May 26, 2020
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Shalyn Whitson signed on the dotted line to become a member of the Cleveland State Lady Cougars on Friday.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Shalyn Whitson flashes a smile after signing to continue her basketball career with Cleveland State.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Shalyn Whitson signed to play basketball at Cleveland State. She was joined by (Front L-R) grandmother Ellisa Whitson, Whitson, and grandfather Ray Whitson. (Back L-R) Lady Warrior assistant coach Gerald Oliver, assistant coach Emily Sizemore, and head coach Thomas Gouge.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Shalyn Whitson signed with Cleveland State on Friday in the Happy Valley High School library. She was joined at the signing by her grandmother, Ellisa Whitson, and her grandfather, Ray Whitson,
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
For the last four years, Happy Valley’s Shalyn Whitson was accustomed to being a hunter chasing after prey like the Sullivan Central Lady Cougars but that all changed on Friday inside the Happy Valley High School library when Whitson put ink to paper to become a member of the Cleveland State Lady Cougar basketball program.
Whitson had been a stalwart on the inside for head coach Thomas Gouge as she had been able to control the boards while having a plethora of shots that she could make whether it was on the inside or outside.
And with her size, that was an added plus as Cleveland State was anxious to get the Lady Warrior into a Lady Cougar jersey.
“They are getting a beast inside,” said Gouge. “She has size, strength, and the moves where she can step out and hit a mid-range jumper or even step out and hit a three – she has the total package.
“I think that one of the things that she will have to work on is getting in tip-top shape and getting her mind right for the two-a-days and three-a-days in college. Other than that, I think that she is ready to go.”
Whitson played a big role during her time as a Lady Warrior scoring over 1,200 points and pulling down over 600 rebounds in her career.
Gouge felt like playing in a tough conference like the Three Rivers Conference will also pay an added dividends as Whitson begins her collegiate career.
“We were really in a tough conference and she has battled against Abby Crawford at Central being a Wofford D-1 signee and Kaitlin Bailey at Elizabethton and a lot of other good players in this conference which has prepared her for the next level,” stated Gouge.
“We loved Shay and whenever it was crunch time we tried to get her the ball. We ran the offense to go through her and she has been great to us and we are really going to miss her. You don’t get 6’1 girls running around with that type of moves and that type of strength.”
Whitson was asked what the drawing power was that enticed her to become a Lady Cougar.
“It was just about how aggressive their coach is and how they want to succeed and come to the top,” Whitson said. “That’s what I want to be is at the top. I haven’t got to meet my teammates yet and be able to see how I am going to be able to fit in with them due to the Coronavirus so I am looking forward to that.”
While she played the post in high school, Whitson foresees herself stepping away from the post and becoming more a guard-type player.
“I am stepping out and playing a different position,” Whitson said. “I am not tall enough to play post in college I feel like I will be better playing at the guard position.”
Whitson said she relished her time as a Lady Warrior.
“It has been a great experience. I love Coach Gouge and playing for him. He taught me a lot and helped me with a lot of stuff,” Whitson added.
Whitson wanted to thank many who helped her along the journey to realizing her dream of playing collegiately including Lady Rain coach Todd Bowers, Lady Prime coaches Shonna Lane, John Lewis, and Russ Lyon.
Finally, she wanted to thank Coach Gouge and his family along with Coach Gerald Oliver and his wife, Kim, and Coach Matt Estep who coached Whitson in track and field where she would have been the No. 1 Girl’s Shot Put entry if the Spring Fling had taken place this spring tossing over 33 feet.
