Newton-Conover High guard Ivy Eller (first row, second from right), whose older sister played basketball at Catawba Valley Community College, signed this week to do the same. She’s pictured with front row (from left): Danielle Eller and sister MaKenzie Eller; back row (from left) CVCC head coach Tisha England, Cathie Eller, Tyzaiah Eller, David Eller and CVCC assistant Tyra Carver./CVCC PHOTO
HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) has signed the younger sister of one of its former players from the high school that produced the Red Hawks’ head women’s basketball coach.
In a press release, CVCC officials said Ivy Eller – a guard from Newton-Conover High — has signed to play basketball for former Red Devils’ great Tisha England.
“I’m just glad I was able to have the opportunity,” Eller said of signing. “Coach England is a really wise person in the lives of my family. I’m glad that I will be able to be coached under her.”
A two-time all-conference selection who also made the All-Catawba Valley Classic all-tournament team once, Eller led Red Devils last season when they went 17-11 (9-5 South Fork 2A) and reached the state 2A playoffs.
During her four seasons at Newton-Conover, the Red Devils won a regular-season league title and two conference tournament titles.
“I’m just excited to have her,” England said of Eller. “She is a great person and brings energy to the team.
“To have someone from Newton-Conover High School is going to top it off. Newton-Conover has great pride and so does CVCC.
“I think she will fit right into the system, come in and make a great impact for us.”
England said Eller’s quickness will help the Red Hawks.
“She’s going to bring speed,” England said. “She runs the floor very well and has a knowledge of the game. Her intensity level is what we need.
“Ivy is going to be able to put the ball in the hole and score. She’s going to be able to play defense. All of that is going to be vital to our success.”
Ivy becomes the fourth Newton-Conover player to join the CVCC women’s basketball program, following Samiya Pitts (2011-13), All-American Kadesha Gibbs (2012-14) and Ivy’s sister MaKenzie Eller (2015-16),
England, a 1988 alumnus of Newton-Conover, is excited to add yet another player from her alma mater to her CVCC program.
“The tradition of Newton-Conover — it was Samiya Pitts, Kadesha Gibbs and MaKenzie Eller who have already came through the program and graduated and went on two four-year schools,” England said. “To have alumni come and be a part of our program is special.”
Ivy said her sister’s advice played a huge role in her ultimate following her path to CVCC.
“She told me to really just to work hard and if I really want to pursue another college in the future then I have to work hard, stay focused and not slack off,” Eller said. “That’s what I’ve got to do.”
Eller is the sixth player signed by the Red Hawks for next season, joining Alexander Central’s KeyKey Miller, Ashbrook’s Trinity Jones, Chapel Hill’s Aniya Taylor, Sugar Creek Charter’s Shamicah Sturvidant and South Caldwell’s Payton Kale.
- Reported by CVCC Sports Information