AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken, in conjunction with head women's basketball coach Mark Miller, is pleased to announce the addition of seven standouts for the 2017-18 season.

Shayla Baldwin, Marissa Bruce, Kyrie' Chandler, Shay Fluellyn, Lonesha Lee, Allenia Ponder and Star Toomey will all continue their basketball careers and education at USC Aiken.

Baldwin is a 5-10 forward from Myrtle Beach, S.C. A two-time all-region player at Socastee H.S., Baldwin was an all-state nominee. She averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and three steals a contest. Baldwin poured in over 1,000 points in her illustrious career and guided her team to an upset of defending state champion Spring Valley in the Sweet 16 with a 25-point performance. Baldwin was also a team captain. She is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and is the senior class president.

"Shayla is an athletic forward who has the ability to take it to the basket and rebound," Miller said. "Her versatility allows her to play and guard multiple positions and we are excited about adding some depth to our forward spot. She is a very well-rounded student-athlete."

Bruce is a 5-8 small forward from Dacula, Ga. At Buford H.S. she made four straight Final Four appearances, won a pair of state titles as well as three region championships. She was a two-time first-team all-region player and was tabbed Gwinnett County Tip Off Club Player of the Month on two occasions. Bruce was the leading scorer in the 2017 Gwinnett Senior All-Star Game. She is a member of the honor roll and National Society of High School Scholars.

"Marissa comes from one of the most successful high school basketball programs in the state of Georgia," Miller stated. "She knows how to compete the right way and knows how to win. Marissa is a tenacious, athletic defender and is tough to stop when she attacks the basket."

Chandler is a 5-6 junior guard from Powder Springs, Ga. A transfer from High Point University, Chandler was a two-time Millis Scholar Athlete while playing for the Panthers. She was a three-time all-county, all-Met and all-region performer at North Cobb H.S. There, Chandler was the school's all-time leading scorer with over 1,400 points. During her time in high school, Chandler also tallied over 300 rebounds, assists and steals.

"Kyrie' brings leadership and the ability to run our team immediately," Miller said. "In addition to being a good defender, she's a scoring point guard and a player who can set everything else up."

Shaineequah Fluellyn is a 5-7 junior guard from South Georgia Tech. She was the team MVP. Fluellyn scored 32 points in the region championship victory over Georgia Highlands. She was named the region XVII Tournament MVP and also picked up second-team all-region accolades. Fluellyn guided her team to the Region XVII regular-season and tournament title en route to the NJCAA National Tournament Sweet 16.

"Shay is a strong, quick scoring guard who can play multiple positions, defend and rebound," Miller stated. "She comes from a solid junior college program that has made multiple appearances in the national tournament. Her leadership and experience will be very important to our young team as well as her ability to put the team on her back at times when it's needed most."

Lee is a 5-7 guard/forward from Beech Island, S.C. She played at North Augusta H.S., leading the squad to the state title as a senior. During her junior year, Lee buried the game-winning shot, helping the team advance to the Final Four. She was a four-time honor roll member and the team captain.

"Lonesha is a local product from one of the best high school programs in our area," Miller said. "She is one of those glue players that every program needs. As a fierce competitor and tireless worker, she brings good depth to our guard spot."

Ponder is a 5-3 guard from Smyrna, Ga. She attended Marietta H.S. Ponder was a four-year letterwinner in basketball, softball and track. She was a second-team all-region and an all-region tournament team selection in basketball. Ponder registered over 300 career steals. She was also recognized as her school's "Girls Jumper of the Year" and "Girls Sprinter of the Year" as well as the MVP of the softball team. Ponder qualified for the state track meet in the long jump, triple jump and the 4x100 relay.

"Allenia is one of the fastest, most explosive athletes I'll ever coach," Miller stated. "We're fortunate that basketball is her first love and she will suit up as a combo guard for us. She can get in the paint, create for others as well as herself and will wreak havoc defensively night-in and night-out."

Toomey is a 6-0 junior post from East Georgia State. There, she accounted for 5.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Toomey helped the team finish with a 20-8 record and a berth in the region semifinals. She was a prep standout at Dacula H.S., where she played alongside LSU post Faustine Aifuwa.

"Star is an athletic post who can run the floor with an unstoppable motor and has a blue collar work ethic," Miller said. "She has the ability to score around the basket, rebound with the best in the Peach Belt and guard any player on the floor. We're excited about the depth she brings to us in the post and will compliment Kwajelin Farrar and Emily Waters very well."