Cariann Williams Signs With Campbellsville University to Play Basketball

Cariann Williams signs a letter of intent to play basketball with Campbellsville University.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County junior Lady Cat basketball standout Cariann Williams signed a letter of intent today to play basketball for Campbellsville University upon her high school graduation in 2026.

A large crowd gathered today in the ECHS gym where former, present, and future coaches discussed the attributes from Williams as they wished her well. Several speakers were featured including ECHS Athletic Director Kyle Pierce, who spoke first.

"I believe you can see by the crowd just what type of person they're going to be getting at Campbellsville," he said. "She's well regarded here at high school."

Pierce described her as "one of the best people around."

ECHS Athletic Director Kyle Pierce.

Former Lady Cat Basketball Coach Bart Weaver.

Former Head Lady Cat Coach Bart Weaver spoke next. He discussed the first time he saw her play as a 7th grader and he knew she was already advanced as an athlete.

"Campbellsville is getting a great player, we know that. They're getting a great student. Coach Pierce just talked about her GPA (over 4.3), but also, you're getting a great person of faith," Weaver said. "Those three things right there mean the world in today's society."

He said when a coach finds a player with all three attributes, that coach has hit the lottery.

"To me, Campbellsville has hit the lottery."

ECHS Head Coach Jody Booth.

ECHS Asst. Coach Maddie Stewart.

Current Lady Cat Head Coach Jody Booth said you won't find a better person in the community than Cariann Williams.

"She's a leader in our community, for our high school kids, our middle school kids, somebody that they can look up to, and follow in her footsteps with academics, community involvement, and when it comes to sports, she takes care of that as well," Booth said.

He discussed some of her impressive stats, going back to her 7th grade year. She has already scored over 1,000 points, pulled over 1,000 rebounds, and has over 500 blocks, with one season as a Lady Cat yet to come. Booth said he expects her to be within the top three girls scorers in school history by the end of her career, and she is already the girls' leader in all-time rebounds.

Williams finished the 24-25 season as the leading scorer at 18ppg and the leading rebounder at 13.5rpg.

Lady Cat assistant coach Maddie Stewart said she first met Cariann when she was working at Campbellsville after graduating from there a couple years before.

"She had an incredible will to perfect her craft of basketball, it was something I figured out really, really quick," she said. "For her, words that come to mind are hard work, integrity, relentless, and winner."

Campbellsville Lady Tiger Head Coach Ginger High Colvin.

Cariann Williams

Cariann Williams

Cariann Williams

Campbellsville Head Women's Basketball Coach Ginger High Colvin then spoke about signing Cariann.

"I think we're clear on what Cariann is," she said. "Anybody can walk in a gym, watch her on the floor, and realize she has every tool needed."

She said she saw early on in Williams' career that she worked hard to improve and she always showed a drive to play for the Lady Tigers.

Williams then addressed the crowd, humbly and emotionally, thanking multiple groups of people, including the Edmonson Voice, her teammates, teachers, former and current coaches, and her parents and siblings.

She thanked the Campbellsville coaching staff for making her feel wanted and welcomed during the entire recruiting process.

"Every time I've been on campus, I've felt welcomed, loved, and part of something special. The coaches treat the girls like their own, I've stayed there multiple times and every time I've felt at home. The girls feel like sisters and the coaches feel like family," she said.

Williams said after high school, her next goal will be an NAIA national championship as a Lady Tiger.

She is also a member of the ECHS track team. Multiple speakers today referenced her decision to sign as a junior, not a senior, as is typical. Williams wanted to make sure that the seniors from this season would be in attendance, which spoke of her admiration for her teammates, several coaches said.

She then signed her letter of intent with her parents by her side, followed by cheers from the audience. Dozens then lined up for a photo op with the new Lady Tiger signee.

Cariann is the daughter of Jonathan and Whitney Williams of Brownsville.