Since transferring to Piedmont in the fall of 2023, senior Andelin Hill has made an impact on the Piedmont women’s basketball program both on and off the court. From being recognized as part of the All-Conference second team in her first year in the Collegiate Conference of the South to making a quantum leap in her senior year and being recognized as part of the All-Conference first team and CCS Player of the Year.
Andelin Hill is undoubtedly the best women’s basketball player in the CCS, but it was not always as easy as it looks on the court for the double-double machine.
Hill, who started her collegiate career at Young Harris, went through plenty of bumps that led her to transfer. “I chose to transfer because of my playing time,” said Hill. “I was contributing and making a difference in practice but never got the opportunity in games.”
Hill is having a stellar senior season, finishing the regular season averaging 14.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for the Lady Lions. Her attitude and approach as a leader on and off the court have impacted her team, coaches and staff positively.
“Here at Piedmont, Hill has been nothing but a hard worker, leader and very coachable,” said women’s basketball Assistant Coach Christian Buckmire. “Sometimes, really good players have terrible attitudes or big egos, and that’s not Andelin at all.”
Hill day in and day out enjoys spending time with her teammates off the court as she looks at it as building team chemistry that can help them on the court. Hill discussed how it is important to build team chemistry both on and off the court.
“Coming in as a freshman, Andelin motivated me to put in extra work outside of practice,” said freshman Kivana Bogne. “I got the blueprint from Andelin on how to carry myself and be the best player I can be from seeing her put the work in on a day to day basis.”
Hill’s impact on the court has not just been recognized by her teammates, coaches and other staff, but by the CCS as well. Hill was awarded player of the week a total of four times in her senior season alone.
Coming into her senior year, Hill had set goals for herself and her team that she felt could be reached during the regular season. Hill shattered her personal and team goals, winning CCS Player of the Year, All-CCS first team and helping Piedmont win not only the regular season in conference, but also the conference tournament.
“I think it’s important to set individual and team goals,” said Hill. “As a team, we wanted to strive to win the CCS and go on to play in the NCAA Tournament. A goal I set for myself when I transferred to Piedmont was to win Player of the Year.”
The job isn’t finished for Hill and the Lady Lions as they will go dancing in the Division lll Women’s basketball tournament as they face off against Randolph-Macon College tonight in the first round in Ashland, Virginia.
“We know it’s going to be a dog fight in Virginia, and my team and I would love to set another Piedmont record and go far in the tournament,” said Hill. “If any team can shock the world, it’s going to be our team this year. We have so much talent and so many pieces on this team.”
Hill will be able to show her dominant impact on the court on March 7 at 7:15 p.m. with her versatile scoring ability, sniffing out both offensive and defensive rebounds and a willing passer at the big position.
“She impacts the game in multiple ways. Scoring, Rebounding and altering shots defensively,” said Coach Buckmire. “She has an opportunity to affect the play on both ends of the floor every single play. She’s the perfect example of the culture Coach Purdy has built here at Piedmont.”
Hill credits her teammates, coaches and staff for her individual success that she has had on the court this season.
“Transferring to Piedmont was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” said Hill. “I’m so thankful for Coach Purdy coming in as a transfer. I needed a coach who had confidence and belief in me. She has been a great blessing in my life.”
Even though this may be Andelin Hill’s last season playing basketball for Piedmont as she will pursue a career in elementary education, where her impact and legacy will forever be remembered as number 14, the double-double machine for Piedmont women’s basketball.
“I’m going to miss Piedmont when I graduate. My sport, my teammates, my coaches and just the people,” said Hill. “Being here at Piedmont has helped prepare me for my next chapter, and I’m so blessed and honored to have been a Piedmont Lion.”
