AMERICUS – Georgia Southwestern State University head women’s basketball coach Kelly Britsky announced recently that Kristin “Kris” Beckham from Pike County High School in Zebulon, Ga., and Khayla Owens from Veterans High School in Kathleen, Ga. have signed national letters of intent to play for the Lady Hurricanes in the fall of 2015.

Britsky talked about the newcomer, Beckham, in a press release saying “A competitor, a scorer, a ballplayer…these are the things I think about when I think about Kris.” Britsky then went on to say “She has a chance to come in as a freshman and make a difference.”

“I think she is up for the hard work that it will take for her to take her game to the next level and we are pumped to see how her career will take off,” Britsky continued. “The future is very bright for this young athlete.”

The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for Pike County in 2014-15. She was the Pirates team captain and a First Team All-Region 4AAAA selection as a senior. Beckham scored 1503 points in her prep career and averaged 6.6 rebounds.

In a press release about Owens, Britske said “Potential, potential, potential. Khayla is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous basketball player and she hasn’t even grown up playing the game.”

Owens was the Warhawks team captain and a four-year varsity letter winner in basketball and soccer. The 5-foot-11 forward was awarded Most Improved in basketball her freshman and sophomore years and Most Offensive Player her junior campaign. She racked up All-County recognitions in both basketball and soccer for most of her career and was named All-Region 2AAAA basketball honorable mention as a junior and First Team All-Region 2AAAA this past season.

Owens was named MVP of the Warhawks basketball team in 2014-15 along with being named MVP of the long-running Bear Brawl Tournament held in Houston County each year. She finished the season averaging 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Owens holds the Veterans High career scoring record and is the all-time free throw leader.

“We are so excited to have Khayla in a Hurricane uniform next season,” Britsky said. “I know that we are going to enjoy watching her mature as a college player. I can’t wait for her to get to campus.” “She works on the court, she battles for every rebound and every shot,” Britsky continued. “No one will outwork her.”