Ward, Lowe, and Echols sign with four year schools

Every season, the Coffeyville Community College women's basketball program has the goal of seeing every sophomore move on to a four year institution.  This year, they met the goal with one hundred percent success.

Lacie Ward, Asaiah Lowe, and Syeeda Echols, the only three sophomores on the 2007-2008 Red Raven squad, have each signed letter-of-intents to continue their careers.  Ward signed with Southern Illinois University, Lowe with Henderson State, and Echols with Lyon College.

"We want our sophomores to go to a place where they will feel comfortable and get a good education, and this year each player found a good fit," said CCC head women's basketball coach Emily Washburn.

Ward, who led the Ravens in scoring and was second on the team in rebounding last season, will get a chance to display her talents at a NCAA Division I program in the Missouri Valley. 

Asaiah Lowe, Lacie Ward, Syeeda Echols.

Ward averaged 13.3 points per game last season for the Ravens and also averaged 6.1 rebounds per game.  She was 80 for 204 from beyond the three-point arc last season and also shot 71% from the free throw line.

"I'm so excited," said Ward.  "No one from Harper County has ever gone D-I."  Ward hails from Harper, Kansas, a town of around 1,500 and 50 miles southwest of Wichita.

Ward will leave for Southern Illinois shortly after the Fourth of July holiday.  "I'm heading out July 7 for summer school and to work out," said Ward.  "They'll have me working out a lot this summer."

Asaiah Lowe's signing comes on the heels of an injured plagued season.  Lowe broke her leg during the Jayhawk Shoot-Out last summer and missed most of the remaining schedule except for a couple of games in March.

"I feel like Asaiah is blessed," said Washburn.  Henderson State is coached by former Labette Community College women's head coach Josh Matthews. 

"He's excited about signing her and feels like she's a sleeper," said Washburn.

Lowe is also excited about heading to the NCAA Division II school in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  "It's nice, small school," said Lowe.  "Coach Matthews pushes you hard and expects nothing but the best from you."

Deciding to sign with Henderson State was an easy decision for Lowe.  "They stayed with me after I broke my leg," said Lowe.

The decision for Echols to sign with Lyon College, an NAIA school in Batesville, Arkansas, was based on academics.  Echols, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at CCC, is majoring in business marketing and human resource management.

"The education I can get from there will give me the opportunity to get a job when I graduate," said Echols.  Echols is also looking forward to playing with her future teammates.

"The girls seemed nice and play as a team," said Echols.  "I want to be a part of that."

"Syeeda is a good student and is focused on education," said Washburn.  "She will also be one of their best players next season.  It's a good fit for her."