AMERICUS - Georgia Southwestern State University head women's basketball coach Kelly Britsky has announced the signing of Khayla Owens from Veterans High School in Kathleen, Ga., to a national letter of intent to play for the Lady Hurricanes in the fall of 2015.

"Potential, potential, potential," Britsky said. "Khayla is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous basketball player and she hasn't even grown up playing the game."

Owens was the Warhawks team captain and a four-year varsity letter winner in basketball and soccer. The 5-foot-11 forward was awarded Most Improved in basketball her freshman and sophomore years and Most Offensive Player her junior campaign. She racked up All-County recognitions in both basketball and soccer for most of her career and was named All-Region 2AAAA basketball honorable mention as a junior and First Team All-Region 2AAAA this past season. 

Owens was named MVP of the Warhawks basketball team in 2014-15 along with being named MVP of the long-running Bear Brawl Tournament held in Houston County each year. She finished the season averaging 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Owens holds the Veterans High career scoring record and is the all-time free throw leader.

"Khayla works on the court, she battles for every rebound and every shot," Britsky said. "No one will outwork her."

Owens works as hard in the classroom as she does on the court. At Veterans she was a four-year honor student and National Beta Club member who maintained a 3.87 GPA. Owens participated in a youth leadership program and was the Optimist Student of the Month.

"We are so excited to have Khayla in a Hurricane uniform next season," Britsky said. "I know that we are going to enjoy watching her mature as a college player. I can't wait for her to get to campus."