Mason picks up five signees for Lady Dawgs

Three transfers and two from perennial high school powerhouse Livingston Academy have signed to play for Cumberland's NAIA runner-up womens' basketball team.
Point guard Ashley Mathews and her Livingston Academy teammate, wing Alison West, have signed with Coach Clint Mason, as have center Robin Leslie from Austin Peay, guard Chaquailia Gaten of Cleveland State Community College and small forward Keela Henry from Tennessee Tech.
The 5-6 Mathews and the 5-8 West helped Livingston to a 29-9 record and a trip to the Class AA state semifinals earlier this month. Matthews averaged 13.6 points per game and was chosen District 7-AA Most Valuable Player and was also named to the Region 4-AA All-Tournament team.
"Ashley is a true point guard who sees the floor well and she can also shoot the ball extremely well from outside," said Mason, who is looking to replace four-year starter Ashley Cross at the point.
West averaged 11.2 points per game and was named to the All-District, All-region tournament and All-State Tournament teams.
"Alison is a great defensive player who has a great feel for the basketball," Mason said. "It is important for our program to recruit student-athletes from winning programs so we can continue the winning tradition at Cumberland University."
Mason also filled a need in the low post with the signing of the 6-2 Leslie, who played her first season for the Lady Governors and has since been enrolled at Columbia State Community College. The Pulaski native will have three years of eligibility when she enrolls at CU this fall.
"Rrobin is an extremely talented post player who can run the floor and score with her back to the basket and she will make an immediate impact on our team," Mason said.
The 5-5 Geten hails from Marietta, Ga., where she played at Wheeler High School. She averaged 15 points, four assists and three steals per game for Cleveland State where she was named to the all-region team. Geten will have two years of eligibility at Cumberland.
"Chaquailia is a natural fit for our system because she is a very athletic guard who can score off the dribble and she can shoot the ball well from behind the arc," Mason said.
The 5-11 Henry played her high school ball at White County. She will also have three years of eligibility at CU.
"Keela is a fundamentally-sound player who is a very hard worker who can score with her back to the basket and she can also knock down the three-point shot," Mason said.