Lady Lynx Graduates competing at the college level: Keiahnna Engel UAA, Aminata Cole Hawaii Pacific, Tara Thompson UAA, Sierra Afoa UAA.  UAA played Hawaii Pacific Tuesday, Nov 17 in Honolulu. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesy: UAA Media Relations 

Release: 05/14/2015

 

ANCHORAGE – A pair of former Dimond High School stars will join the Alaska Anchorage women’s basketball program in 2015-16 as head coach Ryan McCarthy announced Thursday that Keiahnna Engel and Rohyn Huss have signed scholarship agreements to play for the Seawolves.

 

A 5-7 guard, Engel will transfer home for her final collegiate campaign after four seasons – including a redshirt in 2012-13 – at Division I program Boise State. Engel started 39 of 87 career games with the Broncos, posting averages of 6.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals. She played in 24 games last season for a BSU team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, and she started all 32 games in 2013-14, tallying career-best numbers of 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per contest.

 

“We are extremely excited Keiahnna is coming back home for her senior year to represent her home state,” said McCarthy, who led the Seawolves to 29-2 record and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title in 2014-15. “Her athleticism and skill set will allow her to excel in our style, which I believe will help her reach her ultimate potential. What impresses me most about Keiahnna is her desire to win and willingness to work hard for her new coaches and teammates.”

 

One of the most decorated players in Dimond history, Engel was a four-year starter for the Lynx from 2007-11, landing Parade All-America and Anchorage Daily News State Female Athlete of the Year honors. She was also a two-time 4A State Player of the Year and Alaska Gatorade POY, three-time Cook Inlet Conference MVP, and four-time all-state and all-conference honoree, averaging 19.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 6.2 apg and 3.8 spg as a senior.

Meanwhile, Huss comes to the Seawolves as a true freshman after landing Alaska Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-State honors and leading the Lynx to the 2015 4A State title in March. The 6-foot forward averaged 21.0 points on 12-of-24 three-point shooting, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals at State, including 21 points (8-17 FG, 4-9 3FG) in the 54-49 title-game win over West Valley.

 

Also an all-state performer in volleyball, Huss originally signed with the Seawolves in that sport last fall before opting instead for the basketball court.

“Rohyn is a very gifted athlete with great size,” McCarthy said. “I think she found a renewed passion for the game of basketball after her team won the State Tournament. She proved why she was the best player at the tournament when it counted most in the championship game. Her versatility to play multiple positions and great perimeter shooting will make her a tough matchup. I’m excited to coach her throughout her collegiate career.”

 

With their new additions, the Seawolves – who were ranked No. 1 nationally for four weeks last spring – now feature seven former Alaska prep standouts on their 2015-16 roster, along with senior guard Jenna Buchanan (Galena), junior forward Alysha Devine (Wasilla), redshirt freshman forward Hannah Wandersee (Kodiak), and fellow Dimond products Sierra Afoa and Tara Thompson.

 

“(Dimond coach) Jim Young has done an excellent job preparing his young ladies for the college game and elevating his program to an elite level in Alaska. I think there is a sense of pride with all of our Alaskans realizing they can have an impact and represent the state’s best women’s basketball program here at UAA.”

 

Engel and Huss bring UAA’s 2015 recruiting class to three players, along with fall signee Yazmeen Goo, a 5-10 freshman guard from Daly City, Calif. (Westmoor HS).

 

 

Congratulations Aminata Cole (Class of 2013) Stellar Career at Southwestern Oregon CC. Signing to Play at Hawaii Pacific University.