Wilmington, NC (June 1, 2023) – CFCC Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of former Sea Devil Ayonna Cotten as Assistant Women's Basketball Coach for the coming 2023-2024 athletic season. Coach Cotten returns to the Schwartz Center alongside Head Coach Taylor Todd-Williams as they come together to build on the recent success of the Women's Basketball program at Cape Fear.

Cotten earned numerous accolades while playing for CFCC, including All-Academic team honors and the team's Most Valuable Player award in 2018. She was also a key component in the team's successful NJCAA Tournament runs in both 2018 and 2019, where the Sea Devils earned 3rd place overall in the nation in 2019. Cotten still holds the program record, alongside recent grad NiAmoni Bagley (2018-2021), for most assists in a single game playing for Cape Fear Women's Basketball.

Upon graduating from CFCC, Ayonna first transferred to Mississippi Valley State before finishing her playing career at Mount Olive, where she earned her 1,000th collegiate point and received many awards, including team high 3-point and free throw percentages, Conference Carolina All-Tournament Team honors, and Dean's List academic honors.

Prior to her time as a student-athlete at CFCC, Ayonna Cotten played girls basketball at New Hanover High School where she was named Player of the Year in 2016.

"Having Coach Cotten on our staff will make an immediate impact on our Women's Basketball program," says CFCC Director of Athletics Ryan Mantlo. "We could not be more proud and excited to have two former CFCC student-athletes return to their alma mater to coach."

"This is a great opportunity to give back to a basketball program that has brought me so much success in my playing career," says Coach Cotten. "I'm looking forward to coaching alongside Taylor Todd-Williams and making an impact on Cape Fear Athletics."