Blue Devils' Cruell transfers to ACA
SWANNANOA - Nijayah Cruell is not your stereotypical guard.
She likes to mix it up, as evidenced by Cruell's average of 7.0 rebounds per game last basketball season for the Brevard girls.
Transylvania County has lost one of its best backcourt players — Cruell has been at Asheville Christian Academy since classes started on Aug. 24.
Lions coach John Williams said Friday that the Cruell family has decided she will reclassify due to academic considerations. That means that Cruell will be a junior for the 2016-17 season.
"Nijayah is a great listener who works hard," Williams said.
"She shoots well, plays great defense and has a really good knack for the game. We are working to improve her ball-handling, but she has transitioned well. She is going to be a big part of our offense and free-flowing."
Cruell averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 steals last winter for Brevard (7-13).
Cruell was profiled in a Citizen-Times story last February.
SWANNANOA - Nijayah Cruell is not your stereotypical guard.
She likes to mix it up, as evidenced by Cruell's average of 7.0 rebounds per game last basketball season for the Brevard girls.
Transylvania County has lost one of its best backcourt players — Cruell has been at Asheville Christian Academy since classes started on Aug. 24.
Lions coach John Williams said Friday that the Cruell family has decided she will reclassify due to academic considerations. That means that Cruell will be a junior for the 2016-17 season.
"Nijayah is a great listener who works hard," Williams said.
"She shoots well, plays great defense and has a really good knack for the game. We are working to improve her ball-handling, but she has transitioned well. She is going to be a big part of our offense and free-flowing."
Cruell averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.8 steals last winter for Brevard (7-13).
Cruell was profiled in a Citizen-Times story last February.
