DOUGLAS — Seven Cochise College women’s basketball players have signed letters of intent to play at the university level next season.
NCAA Division I signees include Yvonte Neal with the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, Jasmine Lemon with Idaho State, Johnishia Welles with UTEP and Madison Lopez with the University of New Hampshire.
In Division II, Ashley Mitchell will join the Western New Mexico University Mustangs, CC Rode will head to the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Justina Prairie Chief is committed to Nova Southeastern.
“It’s an exciting time for our program here at Cochise,” said Cochise women’s basketball head coach Laura Hughes. “I am extremely proud that we have seven sophomores going on to play at the next level on full scholarships.”
This year’s sophomore class helped the Apaches finish 26-6 overall and 16-4 in conference play, the best for the program in recent memory, including the team’s first time playing for the region title since 2006.
“These seven have had a huge part in turning the program around here at Cochise,” Hughes said. “They are being rewarded for all of their hard work on and off the court.”