Elgin's Holton takes it to the next level
Elgin High School 6-foot-1 senior center standout Ellen Holton has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at NCAA Division II Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn. Following her senior campaign with the Maroons this winter, Holton will take it to the next level at Tusculum College on a full basketball scholarship.
A four-year starter, Holton averaged 12 points per game and 6 rebounds per game last season despite missing half of the year with an injury.
"Ellen has tremendous capability, and additional talent that she hasn't even tapped yet," said Elgin coach Angie Hudson. "Competing at the next level will be great for her, and I think Tusculum is a perfect fit."
Involved in the sport since the age of five, Holton has played with a number of teams including Illinois Team USA under Judson women's coach Jim Cook. This past summer, she attended the Blue-Chip High Exposure Basketball Camp held in Louisville, Ky., on the Bellarmine University campus. Regarded as one of the No. 1 camps in America, Tusculum coaches took notice and have been pursuing Holton since.
"Coach (Missy) Tiber was in Louisville, and really liked what she saw in me," said Holton. "The Tusculum coaches have been in touch ever since."
Tiber has been credited with resurrecting the storied Tusculum College women's basketball program. Since joining the program, the team has had three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in over a decade. Tiber has a collective record of 60-28 since her arrival for a .682 winning percentage, the second best in school history.
In 2007-08, Tiber led the Pioneers to a program best 26-5 record while helping them to a first-ever South Atlantic Conference Championship and garnering the school's first NCAA Division II Tournament berth. The Pioneers finished the year ranked nationally in 10 statistical categories with the seventh-best scoring offense in the nation (78.8 points per game).
"I was able to visit the campus two or three weeks ago and spent time with the coaches, the athletic director and the players," said Holton. "Everybody was very nice, and the coach was amazing.
"That being said, no other schools appealed to me like Tusculum. I'm very excited."
A volleyball player (Daily Herald all-area honorable mention) and track athlete in addition to basketball, Holton has truly made a dream come true with this signing.
"I have been telling my parents since I was 12 that it was a goal of mine to work hard to get a full ride, and they would never have to worry about paying for college," she said. "They told me to work hard and always pursue my dreams, and I feel like I have that opportunity at Tusculum."
While Holton has been looking into studying physical therapy, she remains undecided on what education major she will choose.