SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(KWSN) – University of Sioux Falls women’s basketball head coach Travis Traphagen announced the signing of three student athletes on Wednesday morning, the first day of the fall signing period. Jacey Huinker of Altoona, Iowa, Payton Keeney of Hartford, Iowa, and Coon Rapids, Minn. will join the Cougars for the 2015-16 season.
Huinker, a 5-foot-9 guard from Altoona, Iowa, led Southeast Polk High School to the 2013 Iowa Class 5A State Championship and a state runner-up finish in 2014. Huinker averaged 8.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting at a 55.4 percent clip from the field. Huinker was named to the CIML All-Conference second team in 2014 and set the Iowa Class 5A State Tournament record for assists with 17 this past season. Huinker serves as the vice president for the National Honor Society and earned the scholarship for the National Council on Youth Leadership.
“No one works harder than Jacey when she steps on the floor,” Traphagen said of Huinker. “She can play a number of positions for us and her energy level and unbelievable personality will bring leadership to our team early in her career. We are very excited she decided to join our Cougar Family.”
Keeney, a 5-foot-11 forward, joins the Cougars from Carlisle High School and enters her senior season after an accolade-filled junior campaign. While averaging 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, Keeney was named to the All-Raccoon River Conference first team and Record Herald Tribune first team. The Record Herald Tribune also named Keeney the 2013-14 player of the year in addition to being named tot eh Iowa Basketball Coaches Association All-Region team. Keeney was an academic letterwinner in each of her three years and has been a member of the National Honor Society for two years.
“Payton is a great player right now,” Traphagen said, “but I think her potential here is off the charts! She has the ability to play both inside and outside. She is also a player that has a great toughness about there. She should challenge early in her career to get minutes. We are very excited that she is joining the Cougar Family.”
Lee, a 5-foot-8 guard, brings a wealth of experience, playing on two state champion teams at Maranatha Christian Academy and is seeking her fourth all-conference appointment in her junior season. Lee averaged 17.7 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game in 2013-14, which garnered her a Gatorade Player of the Year nomination. Lee has been named to the MCAA All-Conference first team in each of her three seasons and has been a member of the Maranatha Christian Academy state championship teams in 2011 and 2012. Lee has already surpassed the 1,000-point mark in her career and is a member of the honor roll.
“We are thrilled to have Lexi join the Cougar Family,” Traphagen said. “She is a combo guard who is in shooting range whenever she steps on the floor. She is someone who can really stretch the floor and also handle the ball.”
The Cougars open their regular season this weekend, hosting Presentation College on Friday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. then facing Mount Marty College on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at home.
Located in Sioux Falls, S.D., the University of Sioux Falls is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Courtesy: University of Sioux Falls