USC Lands Cherie Nelson, a 6-3 Forward

Cherie Nelson, who averaged 34 points and 29 rebounds for the Marshall Fundamental High School girls basketball team this past season, will sign a national letter of intent today to attend USC.

Nelson, a 6-3, 160-pound forward who was a third-team Parade All-American selection and the Southern Section 1-A Player of the Year, also averaged nine blocked shots a game while leading the Eagles to a 19-2 record. She injured a leg in an automobile accident prior to the playoffs, and Marshall Fundamental was eliminated by Bishop in the first round.

The Trojans also have signed 5-9 guard Karen Howell, from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland. Howell, who signed Monday, is considered one of the top shooting guards in the nation and also was a Parade All-American.

USC Coach Linda Sharp said that Nelson is an aggressive, physical, front-line player who will provide the Trojans with some added rebounding punch. Nelson also was considering Cal State Long Beach, Nevada Las Vegas, Louisiana State and Arizona State.