By: Celia Kline, Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
DANVILLE, Ky. - Centre College Women's Basketball Head Coach Wendie Austin announced her recruiting class for the 2023-2024 season on Saturday afternoon. The class includes Lilly Reid (Mount Washington, Ky.), Lindsay Jessie (Mackville, Ky.), Arin Nipp (Brentwood, Tenn.), Sophia Richardson (Lexington, Ky.), Emma Perna (Port Orange, Fla.), Ka'Niah Edelen (Louisville, Ky.), Kylie Floyd (Fairdale, Ky.)Â and Charley Harper (Nashville, Tenn.).
"We are very excited to welcome this group of 8 wonderful young ladies. They are very accomplished on the court and just as strong in the classroom. My staff and I can't wait until October to get into the gym to work with this group and watch them become part of our Centre family" said Head Coach Wendie Austin.
Lilly Reid joins the Colonels from Bullitt East High School in Mount Washington, Ky. She led her team to a state finals runner-up finish, an elite eight and sweet sixteen appearance during her high school tenure. She was named a member of the All-State Honorable Mention list, Kentucky State All-Tournament Team, a 2023 Bullitt County Co-Player of the Year, two-time All-District Team and two-time All-Region Team. Reid averaged 15.8 points per game her senior season.
Lindsay Jessie comes to Centre from Mercer County High School in Harrodsburg, Ky. She led her team to a 12th Region Championship title and was named to the 12th Region All-Tournament Team alongside a Kentucky 2A Championship All-Tournament Team honor. Jessie was also named the 12th Region Championship Player of the Game on her way to averaging 10 points and five rebounds in her senior season.
Arin Nipp joins the Colonels from Father Ryan High School in Nashville Tenn. Nipp averaged 2.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 55-percent from the floor and 75-percent from the free throw line. She was named All-Region her senior season while leading the Irish to a 19-11 record during that season. Her sophomore season she led Father Ryan to a high school state semifinal appearance.
Sophia Richardson joins the Colonels from the Sayre School in Lexington, Ky. She was a 1,000-point scorer and was named a two-time All-A Regional Tournament Team, a two-time 42nd District Tournament Team and the 11th Region Athletic Administrators Association Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner. She averaged 14 points and five rebounds her senior year.
Emma Perna comes to the Colonels from Oglethorpe University as a transfer student-athlete. Perna will arrive as a junior for the 2023-2024 season after spending two season with the Stormy Petrels, averaging six points, two rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. She had a career-high of 18 points while going 9-10 from the free throw line against Berry this past December. Perna is originally from Port Orange, Fla., where she attended Spruce Creek High School.
Ka'Niah Edelen will join the Colonels from Male High School in Louisville, Ky. She earned the Outstanding Athlete Award and was named 2nd Team 7th All-Region. Before injury cut her senior season short, she averaged 10.2 points per game.
Kylie Floyd comes to Centre from Butler High School in Louisville, Ky. She led the Bearettes to four District Championships in her high school career. She was named a KHSAA Academic All-State First Team honoree and was Valedictorian of her class.
Charley Harper joins the Colonels from Nashville Christian High School in Nashville, Tenn. Harper led her team to two District Championships and two Elite 8 State Tournament appearances. She was named on the All-District team three times, along with a District Tournament MVP award. She averaged 12 points and six assists per game this season.
