HICKORY, N.C. — Catawba Valley Community College sophomore forward Joyous Wilson has signed to continue her academic and athletic career at Mars Hill University.
Wilson made her signing official earlier this week during a ceremony held at CVCC's Tarlton Complex.
"I'm very happy to be going to the next level," Wilson said of signing. "I'm excited and ready to see the new beginnings. I really enjoy Mars Hill. I didn't think I was going to like the mountains, but I really loved the atmosphere up there and their coach. He's really nice. I'm just ready to play, and I'm glad to be graduating from Catawba Valley."
After averaging 4.2 points and 4.3 rebounds during her first season at Catawba Valley, Wilson made tremendous strides from her freshman to sophomore season.
The 5-foot-8 forward from Charlotte, N.C. averaged 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in 31 games this past season for the Red Hawks, leading them to a 27-5 overall record and 20-2 mark in conference games.
CVCC head women's basketball coach Tisha England said Wilson's growth from year one to year two was the product of her hard work.
"Joy has came in and done a total turnaround from last year and just impacted the team overall with her inside and outside game," England said. "I'm proud of Joy. We sat down over the summer and talked about what she needed to work on to contribute to the team, and she totally bought into it. She lost weight and got up and down the court and did what she needed to do to be successful."
Wilson becomes the third member of the 2017-18 Red Hawks women's basketball team to sign with a four-year school, joining teammates Shaniya Lester (UNC Pembroke) and Tanisha Wall (Montreat College).
Wilson said her sophomore teammates, which also includes guards Nikkyana McCaskill and Tory Agrusa, hold a special place in her heart.
"I'm going to miss the sophomores," Wilson said. "I'm going to miss everyone. The sophomores share a special bond. Our season was great. It was sad it ended early. I wished we could have gone on, but we had some great outcomes.
"Some of us are far away, but some of us are just 45 minutes away," Wilson added of her sophomore teammates. "I'm glad some of us are close so we can keep in touch and not just by phone."
England believes that Wilson will be successful moving forward and that she is a great fit in the Lion's women's basketball program.
"Joy had a lot of great workouts this year, and Mars Hill was one of her best workouts," England said. "She just fit into their system, and she can play as both a guard and as a post player as a small forward. I think any program Joy goes to she is going to contribute big time to them."