THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411170591
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Kizzy Butler, a two-time All-Southeastern District guard at Churchland, signed a basketball grant with Norfolk State Wednesday.
In signing prior to her senior season, Butler said she already had made her decision about which college she would attend and can now concentrate on her studies and the game without interruptions.
``I wanted to go to a school close to home,'' Butler said. ``And I've watched Norfolk State play. They play the kind of pressure game that I like. I think I will fit in well there.''
Norfolk State women's basketball coach James Sweat rates Butler ``a mid-level Division I player.''
``She can hit the 3-pointer and she can play defense. She is truly a point guard and it is hard to get that kind of a player.
``I believe she might be the quickest player I have ever recruited, and I've had some quick ones. She will fit right in with the up-tempo style we play.
``She reminds me of some of the other great point guards I've had, girls like Sheila Hillman at Hampton and Lisa Rice, who is the best point guard in Norfolk State history. Kizzy is at the same level coming out of high school as they were.''
A second-team All-Tidewater selection last year, Butler was the most valuable player in the 1994 Southeastern District tournament. For the season she averaged 12.5 points and 5.7 assists. She had a school-record 65 steals in sparking Churchland to 19 victories and a berth in the Eastern Region playoffs.
A penetrating scorer, Butler also is a good outside shooter. She made 14 3-point field goals last year, including two that won games in the waning seconds.
``When the game is on the line, Kizzy wants the ball,'' Churchland coach Duke Conrad said. ``And any coach would want her to have it. I look for her to do well at Norfolk State.''
Butler was signed on the final day of the early signing period. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kizzy Butler
by CNB