PREP NOTEBOOK

Published 9:48 am Friday, February 22, 2008

EDMONDS — Edmonds-Woodway senior Kelsey Hitchner has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Southern Colorado.

“She’s a creative point guard who makes things happen and she’ll fit our up-tempo style very well,” second-year coach Misty Murphy said in a press release.

Hitchner, a 5-foot-8 point guard, averaged 11 points, four assists and three rebounds during her junior season. She also plays for the Seattle Magic club team during the spring and summer.

A number of factors influenced Hitchner’s decision to sign with the University of Southern Colorado.

“I’d like to focus on academics,” she said. “It’s a nice area and I like the program a lot.”

Hitchner, who plans to study sports psychology, visited the school last November before making her decision.

“I got to know the team,” Hitchner of her visit. “We just meshed.”

The Thunderwolves (15-11) finished last year with their best record in more than a decade.

“She’s totally turned it (program) around,” Hitchner said of Murphy. “It’s real positive.”

Hitchner’s signing marks the culmination of years of hard work.

“It’s been my dream (to play college basketball),” Hitchner said. “Now it’s come true.”