AMERICUS - Georgia Southwestern State University head women's basketball coach Kelly Britsky announced Thursday that Kristen "Kris" Beckham from Pike County High School in Zebulon, Ga., has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Lady Hurricanes in the fall of 2015.

"A competitor, a scorer, a ballplayer...these are the things I think about when I think about Kris," Britsky said. "She has a chance to come in as a freshman and make a difference."

The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for Pike County in 2014-15. She was the Pirates team captain and a First Team All-Region 4AAAA selection as a senior. Beckham scored 1503 points in her prep career and averaged 6.6 rebounds.

Beckham has been successful in the classroom as well. She earned the highest GPA on the basketball team, is a member of the Beta Club Honor Society and received the Who's Who of America Literature Award.

"I think she is up for the hard work that is will take for her to take her game to the next level and we are pumped to see how her career will take off," Britsky said. "The future is very bright for this young athlete."