Prep Star Tessah Holt Signs Letter of Intent with UF Women's Basketball
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Tessah Holt, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's 2009 Georgia Class AAAA Girls' Basketball Player of the Year, has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Florida, Gator head coach Amanda Butler announced Wednesday.
A 5-foot-7 point guard from Fayetteville, Ga., Holt recently led Fayette County High School to the state championship game, helping the Lady Tigers finish the season with a program-best 31-1 overall record. Holt contributed 12.7 points, 7.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 steals during her senior season, when she also was recognized as a first team All-State performer after helping FCSH end the year ranked No. 2 in the final Class AAAA state rankings and No. 47 in the country in the ESPN Rise FAB 50 Girls Basketball Final poll.
Holt, who capped her four-year career as FCHS's all-time leader with 1,422 points, 762 assists and steals, guided the Lady Tigers to a 90-27 record during her tenure, helping the squad win three region championships and reach the state title game twice.
"Tessah is a true point guard, which is especially important for us with the loss of Sha Brooks (selected by Phoenix in the 2009 WNBA Draft)," Butler said. "Tessah is a tremendous competitor and worker. She's excited about being a Gator and nothing could please me more than that. Tessah will bring a whole new dimension of offense and defense for us and will be one of the best in our conference. I am really looking forward to coaching her."
Holt's buzzer-beating, half-court shot not only led FCHS past Douglas County High, 37-34, in the state regional semifinal game on Feb. 20th, but is also was featured as ESPN's SportsCenter's No. 2 Play of the Night. During the second round game of the 2009 Georgia state playoffs, Holt hit another buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Osborne High, 51-48.
She was selected to play in the 2009 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game, helping the North squad to victory. Holt also was named the Metro Naismith Winner for 2009 and a selected First Team All Region Team for 5-AAAA. She was voted as the MVP in the Arrowhead Tournament and the St. Pius X Christmas Tournament, while being named to the All-Tournament Team for the Crescent Bank Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Holt is the fourth different prep star to officially sign with Florida, joining early-period signees Christal Caldwell (Charlotte, N.C.), Jennifer George (Orlando, Fla.) and Lily Svete (Granger, Ind.).
The fifth new face who will sport the Orange & Blue for the 2009-10 season is Jordan Jones, who sat out last season after transferring from South Carolina. Jones is a 5-foot-9 guard from Suwanee, Ga., with three years of eligibility remaining.
Florida Gators' 2009 Signing Class
Christal Caldwell, 5-11, Guard, Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte HS
Jennifer George, 6-2, Forward, Orlando, Fla./Bishop Moore HS
Tessah Holt, 5-7, Guard, Fayetteville, Ga./Fayette County HS
Lily Svete, 6-2, Forward, Granger, Ind./Penn HS
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