When starting a new program, it seems like there are a million things that need to be done before the school year begins.

Georgia Highlands College has been going through that this summer as it prepares for its first season of men’s and women’s basketball.

Women’s coach Brandan Harrell had numerous items on his list to accomplish before school starts next week, and he has gotten most of those checked off the list.

On Wednesday, the Lady Chargers hosted a voluntary workout and introduced the first women’s basketball team in the school’s history.

“We’re very excited, and it’s been a long two months trying to get everybody here and squared away,” said Harrell. “Classes start Monday and we’re fired up, ready to go and ready to start getting some work done.”

All 11 members of GHC’s recruiting class were in attendance on Wednesday, and most of them have moved in and are ready to start classes.

The recruiting class is a diverse group that is literally from all over the country, and the world.

One of the recruits is a local name, and a former Darlington standout. Rachel Turrentine, who was playing at Asbury University in Kentucky, has moved back home and is a member of the first Lady Chargers team.

“I was playing in Kentucky, and that was just too far to drive and not see my family as much, so I figured I could come home and play basketball at the same time,” said Turrentine. “I’m really excited because to be honest I didn’t know what to expect when I came to play here.

“But I really like the girls and I think we’re going to be really good,” added Turrentine. “It’s definitely going to be a different experience than it was in high school (playing in front of the hometown crowd), but it will be good to see some familiar faces and see my family come and watch me play.”

One of the recruits who came with Harrell from Georgia Technical College is Manon Cherubini, who is from France. She led the GCAA conference, which is the conference GHC will be in, in three-point shooting percentage last season.

Cherubini is just a prime example of how there are no boundaries when it comes to recruiting.

“We feel like we have the most success when our team is pretty diverse,” said Harrell. “We’ve got small town, big town, in state, out of state, in country, and out of country players. When you get a diverse group together, sometimes the less they have in common is better in the long term.

“We cast a big net in our recruiting efforts,” added Harrell. “They’re all talented, but each of them adds something to the big picture.”

GHC’S INAUGURAL WOMEN’S SIGNING CLASS

Manon Cherubini (Claude Lebois High, France)

Lashanta Clardy (Rossview, Tenn.)

Amber Curtis (Beach High)

Shanique Holston (Taylor County)

Gabrielle Kendall (Canton-McKinley High, Ohio)

Shan’Taja Latimore (Central Gwinnett)

Seandre Lee (Bradwell Institute)

Shakierya McClendon (Peach County)

Jessica Michaels (Woodland-Acworth)

Rachael Turrentine (Darlington)

Holly Williams (Bremen)