CHICO – Head Coach Brian Fogel didn’t have to venture far to land his latest recruit for the Chico State women’s basketball team – he merely looked in his own backyard, to the foothills just east of Chico, to bring a talented, explosive guard to the Wildcat attack. Paradise High School star Caressa Williams has officially signed on to play for the ’Cats in the upcoming 2010-11 season, Chico State announced Wednesday.

“Caressa is an extremely quick, athletic guard that will be able to become a great on-ball defender,” Fogel said following Williams’ signing. “Offensively, she’ll do a nice job of advancing the ball in fast break situations. Caressa has the potential to really help us this season.”

Williams is coming off a senior year at Paradise High that saw her average 11.8 points, 4.2 steals and 2.1 assists a game  – all team highs – plus contribute 3.7 rebounds a contest to lead the Bobcats to a 22-7 record and an appearance in the Division III section finals. For her efforts, Williams was named the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Most Valuable Player and was an All-Northern Section first team selection. She also earned first team All-Eastern Athletic League honors for the second straight season.

As a junior, Williams led Paradise High in scoring (15.2 points per game) and steals (3.2) while hauling in 5.5 rebounds and dishing out 2.7 assists a contest.

Chico State opens the 2010-11 season in early November with exhibition games against St. Mary’s and the University of Nevada before beginning regular season play Nov. 19-20 when the Wildcats host the 38th annual Coslet Classic at Acker Gym.