After helping the Cerritos
College women’s basketball
team to the South Coast
Conference championship and
appearance in the state
championships, a trio of
players have all signed a
letter of intent to continue
their education and playing
career at Hawaii Pacific
University. Sophomores
Maltresa Neely (Downey
HS),
Genesis Lewis (Paramount
HS) and
Tiffany Wilson (Mayfair
HS) have all signed with
the Division II Sea
Warriors.
Neely
finished her career with the
Falcons (who were 26-9 on
the year) by being named the
South Coast Conference South
Division Co-Player of the
Year and was a 3rd
Team All-State selection.
The 5-10 forward averaged
13.3 points, 7.7 rebounds
and 2.4 assists a game,
while she also led the team
with 67 steals and 47
blocked shots. As for Lewis,
she was the Co-Player of the
Year with Neely and averaged
10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds
a game. Both will have two
season with Hawaii Pacific.
Wilson finished her career,
where she was a 1st
Team All-SCC selection this
past season and
averaged 10.4 points and 7.4
rebounds a game. She also
led the team with a 3.5
assist average and shot 50%
from the field and 71% from
the free throw line.
According
to Hawaii Pacific head coach
Jeff Harada, “Mal is a
proven scorer and the junior
college level, while her
length and athleticism make
her a tough defender and
rebounder, as well. She is a
very complete player, who is
a great addition to our
program.” When speaking
about Lewis, Harada
mentioned, “She (Lewis) is
tough in the paint and can
step out on the perimeter,
as well, which makes her
hard to guard. She will fit
nicely into our system.”
“Tiffany’s athleticism
and ability to play three
different positions will
create mismatches and give
us options on the
perimeter,” said Harata of
Wilson. “Her leadership and
work ethic will be very
beneficial to our program,
as well as out success.”
Last
season, Hawaii Pacific
finished 8-17 on the season,
which is a marked
improvement from the year
before, when they won two
games. The Sea Warriors are
members of the PacWest
Conference.
