CHESAPEAKE - Just call it Point Guard U.

The West Liberty State Hilltoppers women's basketball program is not only known for good basketball, but the program has produced three of the top five point guards in NCAA Division II history.

The Lady Hilltoppers may have added another to their tradition-rich position after signing Chesapeake Lady Panthers senior point guard Lisa Perry Tuesday to a letter-of-intent.

"They've had three All-American point guards. The point guard is the most prestigious position (in their program)," Perry said. "It's a good academic school. They have a high graduation rate."

Perry, a 4.0 student ranked No. 1 in her class, picked West Liberty State over East Tennessee State and the University of Rio Grande.

"I wanted to go someplace a little farther away. I liked coach (Lynn) Ullom, I like the conference and I think I'll fit in well," Perry said.

Perry has 427 career assists and could join a select few in the 500 club this season. She has scored 622 points

and would like to reach the 1,000-point total, too.

"I'm going to work on my shooting. I feel all the other aspects are good. I need to be a more prominent scorer," Perry said.

West Liberty loses senior point guard Kelly West who has already earned WVIAC Player of the Week honors. Perry said the fact West is a senior influenced her decision.

"Their point guard is a senior, so it's likely I would go in there and contend for playing time," Perry said.

The three-time Lady Panthers team captain has been a first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection in each of the past three seasons. She was a Coaches District 13 first team pick three times, and Associated Press second team all-district and All-Ohio honorable mention the past two seasons.

She was named to the Wendy's Logan Holiday Classic All-Tournament team, WSAZ Holiday Tournament Most Valuable Player, and is one of the top 25 OGBM seniors this season.

Chesapeake coach Chad Belville said Perry has earned everything she has achieved.

"She's a coach's dream," Belville said. "I've coached 11 years at different schools and at different sports, and she is the hardest working athlete I've seen.

"And she has super parents who are great to work with. They put in a full-size court, paved with lights. They were dedicated to helping her meet her goals. They deserve as much credit as she does."

Perry's dedication began at an early age. She was just 5 years old when she picked up her first basketball. She later played AAU summer ball and led her team to a national runner-up spot.

"My brother Scott played basketball and I always wanted to follow my brother," Perry said. "I've always wanted to get a scholarship, but if not, I could always fall back on academics."

Although she is not a national finalist, Perry was recently named an Ohio finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman award.

"It was very exciting. I look at it as an honor. I didn't really expect it," Perry said.

She is the daughter of Edith and Gerald Perry of Chesapeake.