JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State women's basketball coach Annette Watts has rounded out her coaching staff with the addition of Courtney Payne as Watts announced the hire on Thursday.

A native of Scottsboro, Ala., Payne joins JSU after spending one season as varsity girls head coach at Shades Mountain Christian School in the Birmingham, Ala.  A graduate of Scottsboro High School and Snead State Community College, Payne finished her undergraduate studies in 2007 at the University of Alabama.  At SSCC she ranked in the Top 20 of the National Junior College Athletic Association in field goal percentage.

“I am so excited to be joining the coaching staff and the Jacksonville State family. Coach Watts' history speaks for itself, and I look forward to learning from her and drawing from her basketball wisdom,” said Payne.  “JSU couldn't be a better fit for me; it combines my love of basketball and the conditioning aspect of the sport into one. I absolutely can't wait to get started with the team.”

While in Tuscaloosa, Payne assisted the women's basketball program as a student assistant along with helping the as a strength and conditioning assistant from 2006-07 under the guidance of Melissa Moore.  Payne moved on to her second Southeastern Conference program after graduating from UA as she spent time at Louisiana State University as a strength and condition intern in 2007.  While at LSU, she specifically worked day-to-day with the LSU women's hoops program and mentored by Michelle Diltz.  That season, LSU advanced to the Women's Final Four.

"Courtney brings a calm and concise personality to our staff. I like to keep an Alabama native who can recruit the state as one of my coaches,” said Watts.  “Courtney has been coaching at the high school level and I believe she will quickly help us in this recruiting endeavor. She is a fierce competitor and I am very excited to have her join our Gamecock family.”

With a passion for strength and conditioning, Payne was a member of the training staff at Fitness Together in Birmingham, Ala. from 2008 to 2011 before moving on to Next Total Fitness.  She returned to the court last September at Shades Mountain Christian School.

Payne earned her undergraduate degree in human performance and nutrition in 2007.  She will be working towards her Master's at JSU in the school's sports management program.