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Good things come to those who wait: Lady Wolves' trio to continue hoops careers in college
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
The Plano West girls basketball team reached plenty of milestones in 2011-12.
The Lady Wolves compiled the best record in program history (34-3), posted their first 14-0 district record and advanced to the regional quarterfinals before dropping a closely-contested game to defending Class 5A State Champion Irving MacArthur (67-60). But for all that success, West didn't have any seniors signed on to play at the next level.
That has changed in a big way over the past week as Brea Mitchell (New Mexico) and Paige Womack (University of Chicago) have signed letters of intent while Kiran Lakhian (Stanford) had her walk-on status changed to scholarship player.
Mitchell is a prime example of that.
Already a standout at Frisco, Mitchell transferred to West as a junior when her family moved to Plano. Frisco wouldn't sign Mitchell's transfer form, saying she moved for athletic purposes. The UIL concurred and she had to sit for the bulk of her senior season.
"It was definitely difficult on my recruiting," Mitchell said. "But I think the key was patience; my dad said if I waited the right school would come around, and he was right."
New Mexico saw Mitchell at a tournament three weeks ago and began an aggressive pursuit, which concluded last weekend.
"I had talked with the coaches and really liked what I heard, so I decided if I liked what I saw on my visit I was going to sign there," Mitchell said. "And then I got on campus and it was so much more than I expected. I was really impressed with the Pit (New Mexico's basketball arena), their business school and the fact they have a lot of new facilities."
Mitchell, who is a shooting guard but can also periodically run the point, completed her trip by singing with the Lobos. She will join Plano Senior alum Chinyere Nnaji on the roster.
"I was so excited," Mitchell said. "It was such a long process, but I didn't want to settle and I'm glad I didn't have to."
The Lobos didn't have to settle either as they are getting a player that was named second team all-district despite playing in less than half the 8-5A games this past season.
"Brea can hit the three, she can shoot the pull-up jumper and she can go to the rim; she is the complete offensive package," Patterson said. "She's a good passer too and she can handle the ball well, especially in tight spaces."
Patterson also had kind words for his other two signees, not surprising given Lakhian and Womack have been on varsity for four seasons.
"Those two are hard workers and great teammates," he said, "so whatever role they are asked to play, they'll play it."
Mitchell agreed.
"I'm really excited for Paige and Kiran," she said. "They are such great teammates and I knew they would find the right fit."
Both renown for their shooting prowess, Womack was first team all-district this past season while Lakhian was the Co-MVP of 8-5A alongside junior teammate Devri Owens. Lakhian was originally slated to walk-on for the Cardinal, but the team has since sent her paperwork saying the first year of her scholarship is guaranteed. The 5-foot-10 senior figures to play shooting guard or small forward in college.
Wherever Womack plays, she figures to give plenty of hustle at Chicago.
"Paige looks a little frail, but she has no fear out there," Patterson said. "She will go after and dive for any loose ball; she was always the girl on our team that spent the most time on the floor."
And with the events of the past week, Mitchell, Lakhian and Womack are all guaranteed to spend plenty more time on the floor in the coming years.
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