Aaliyah Collins has had a fabulous first year in college basketball, and last week she reached a pinnacle as she starred in her homecoming and earned yet another award.
The Glacier Peak High School graduate, now a guard on the Chicago State women’s basketball team, was named the WAC Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season, in large part because of her dominating performance as the Cougars beat Seattle University.
Chicago State traveled to Seattle on Jan. 10, and Collins erupted for 26 points and 10 rebounds — both career highs — as the Cougars defeated the Redhawks 64-57 for their first WAC victory in two years.
Collins averaged 19.0 points and 5.7 rebounds over the course of three games from Jan. 10-16. Her Freshman of the Week award joined the ones she received on Nov. 22, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6.
“It’s a huge recognition, and it means a lot to me,” Collins said on Chicago State’s website. “But at the same time, I’m going to take these awards and use them as drive. Why settle for four? Let’s keep this going.”
Collins, The Herald’s 2021 Girls Basketball Player of the Year, is averaging 15.9 points this season, which ranks fourth in the WAC. Her 2.7 steals per contest are second in the WAC and 20th in NCAA Division I.
Former Silvertips headed to Olympics
Former Everett Silvertips players Mirco Mueller and Tyler Dietrich will be representing their countries in men’s hockey at the Winter Olympics, which begin Feb. 4 in Beijing.
Mueller, a defenseman who recorded 11 goals and 47 assists in 123 games with Everett from 2012-14, was selected as part of Switzerland’s team. Mueller, who has 185 games of NHL experience, is currently playing for HC Lugano in Switzerland’s top division, with whom he has three goals and seven assists in 38 games. NHL players are not participating in these Olympics.
Dietrich, an original Silvertip who amassed 19 goals and 27 assists over 72 games with Everett from 2003-05, is serving as an assistant coach for Canada. Dietrich is currently Hockey Canada’s senior manager of hockey operations.
Professional bull riding coming to Everett
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is bringing the Unleash the Beast Tour to Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena on April 6. More than 500 bull riders from around the world are PBR members. Tickets go on sale Friday and will be able to be purchased on the Angel of the Winds Arena website.
Steelheads to field CPL women’s team
The Snohomish County Steelheads FC elite adult soccer program will field a women’s outdoor team in the Cascadia Premier League (CPL) this year. The women’s outdoor team played friendlies last year, and it will join the CPL’s new Women’s Division this year following a strong turnout at tryouts for the women’s indoor team, Steelheads general manager Dorian Lair said in a press release.
The Steelheads are members of the CPL’s Men’s Division, winning the league title in 2019 and finish second last year when it was the Western Washington Premier League.
The women’s outdoor team will begin play in May. The coaching staff and tryout dates are yet to be determined.
If you have an item for the community sports roundup, email Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.
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