Women's Basketball | July 29, 2024

AIKEN, S.C. – USCA, in conjunction with head women's basketball coach Mark Miller, is excited to announce the addition of seven newcomers for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

"We are very excited about our incoming class," Miller stated. "The class brings both experience and depth to our team. This is a hard-working group both on the court as well as in the classroom. 

"All of our new perimeter players have the ability to score the ball and be a good defender. Our new post players have the versatility to play facing the basket and also with their backs to the basket. With a few weeks left before we get everyone together, we are excited for the future."

Miller's class includes Molly Burns, Gracie Huffard, Aryanna Ingram, Alisa Ortiz, Kendall Parker, Riley Simmons and Makaylei Snyder.

Burns, a native of Charlotte, N.C., is a 5-7 guard. The Audrey Kell H.S. product was a three-time all-conference honoree and two-time all-district selection. Burns poured in 1,177 points in her career, including a career-high 32 in the regular-season finale. She set the school record with seven three-point field goals in the conference semifinal and shattered the school record for three-point field goals in a season twice.

Huffard, a native of Daleville, Va., is a 6-3 center. The Lord Botetourt H.S. standout was a four-time all-district selection. A five-time all-region honoree, Huffard picked up all-state accolades and was named to the state all-tournament team as a freshman. She helped her AAU team to a pair of Virginia Commonwealth Championships.

Ingram, a native of Middletown, Ohio, is a 6-0 forward. The transfer spent the last two seasons at Clark State. There, she averaged 7.0 points and four rebounds per outing. At Middletown H.S., Ingram chipped in 7.8 points and snagged 6.9 boards a contest.

Ortiz, a native of Frederick, Md., is a 5-3 guard. The Oakdale H.S. product led her team to a second-place finish at the state championship. Ortiz helped her squad pick up a pair of region championships. As a senior, she garnered 15 points and three steals a night. Ortiz erupted for a career-high 28 points in a game during her senior campaign.

Parker, a native of Plano, Texas, is a 5-6 guard. She is a transfer from New Mexico Highlands. At Prestonwood Christian Academy, Parker netted over 1,400 points, tying the school record with 39 in a single game. A two-time all-state honoree, Parker averaged 20 points, six boards and four assists a game as a senior. She picked up all-district accolades four times.

Simmons, a native of Canton, Ga., is a 6-0 forward. The Cherokee H.S. standout garnered all-region honors her junior campaign. She accounted for a pair of all-county selection. Simmons was tabbed the sixth-ranked power forward in the state and totaled 11 points and eight boards a night as a junior.

Snyder, a native of Peoria, Ariz., is a 5-7 guard. She is a transfer from Scottsdale C.C. There, she averaged 9.5 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game. At Sandra Day O'Connor H.S., Snyder was a four-year letterwinner and three-time all-region selection. She guided her team to a pair of region championships, averaging 10.7 points, 2.5 assists and 2.2 boards a game.