Cleveland County Women’s Basketball Legends to Be Honored at Wall of Fame Ceremony

Event on Oct. 24 at Gardner-Webb to Recognize 50 Players, Along with Coaches, Officials and Trainers; Runnin’ Bulldogs Head Coach Terri Williams to Deliver Keynote Address

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University is pleased to host the 2026 Women’s Basketball Legends Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. in Tucker Student Center. The ceremony, presented in partnership with the Alumni Basketball Association (ABA), Cleveland County Business Development Center and the City of Shelby, will honor the 50 Greatest Women High School Basketball Players of Cleveland County from 1965-1999, along with outstanding coaches, game officials and sports trainers.

Serving as keynote speaker for the event will be Terri R. Williams, head coach of the Gardner-Webb University women’s basketball program. A native of Hampton, Va., Williams starred as a student-athlete at Penn State University before building an accomplished collegiate coaching career that included head coaching positions at Georgetown University and Auburn University. During her first season leading the Runnin’ Bulldogs in 2025-26, Williams earned Big South Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors.

“We are excited and honored to have Coach Williams as our keynote speaker,” said Dennis J. Toms, president of the Alumni Basketball Association. “This occasion reflects not only individual achievements but also the collective stories of how Cleveland County has produced athletes whose influence extends far beyond the basketball court.”

The event celebrates not only athletic excellence, but also the enduring legacy of women’s basketball across Cleveland County. Through decades of competition, leadership and community impact, these athletes helped shape the county’s rich basketball tradition while inspiring future generations.

Proceeds from the event will support scholarship and mentorship programs for local youth and assist with the planning and development of future initiatives.

Among the 50 honorees are several individuals with ties to Gardner-Webb University, including former student-athletes Susan Bolt Briggs, Joan Cline Backhaus and Fredia Lawrence King, as well as longtime basketball officials Alphonso “Al” Graves and Terry Camp.

Honorees with Gardner-Webb Connections

Joan Cline Backhaus

One of the most prolific scorers in Cleveland County history, Backhaus scored 3,384 points during her three-year career at Waco High School before continuing her success at Gardner-Webb. During the 1957-59 seasons, she led the team in scoring both years, averaged 34 points per game and collected nearly 1,000 rebounds. In 2022, she was inducted into the Gardner-Webb University Athletics Hall of Fame as a women’s basketball trailblazer.

Fredia Lawrence King

A standout at Burns High School, King scored 1,865 points while averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds per game. Some of Fredia’s many honors included, All-Conference, All-Tournament, All-County, All-State, and All-American in high school. King was recognized in the Burn High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.

After accepting a scholarship to Gardner-Webb, she recorded 2,201 career points and 1,220 rebounds. Her No. 21 jersey has been retired by both Burns High School and Gardner-Webb University. She was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame in 2025. She is currently a nominee for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Susan Bolt Briggs

A 1977 graduate of Burns High School, Briggs established herself at Gardner-Webb as one of the program’s top performers, finishing her career among the school’s top 10 in both scoring and rebounding. She recorded 1,236 career points and 625 rebounds while helping lead the team to a 17-4 record during her freshman season. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Gardner-Webb women’s basketball, Briggs was inducted into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.

Alphonso “Al” Graves

A graduate of Cherryville High School and former Gardner-Webb basketball standout, Graves helped lead the Runnin’ Bulldogs to the 1972 NAIA semifinals before beginning a distinguished 34-year officiating career. In 1981, he assisted Coach Bud Black with the men’s basketball team at Cherryville High School and with the Gardner-Webb University women’s team. Graves has worked numerous tournament and regional finals and received several honors, including the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award, Frank Pullen Memorial Award and Chuck Clemmons Memorial Award.

Terry Camp

A former national junior college scoring leader at Isothermal Community College, Camp continued his playing career at Gardner-Webb. His officiating career began in 1988 at Holly Oak Park and the Shelby City Park where he refereed church teams and community games until 1993. From 1993 to 1995, he officiated high school basketball games across North Carolina. He took a five-year hiatus until 2000 and then continued officiating high school basketball games until 2025. During his entire career, he officiated three high school regional finals, four conference championships, and four middle school conference championships.

The event is sanctioned by the City of Shelby and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in cooperation with the Alumni Basketball Association LLC, Cleveland County Business Development Center and Gardner-Webb University.

Tickets are available while supplies last. For additional information, email [email protected], visit www.clevelandlegacy.com or call 704-300-7603.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.