By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
PHOTOS - here
Fostoria, Ohio---Kamryn Troike, a 6'4" center from St. Wendelin High School in Fostoria, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Owens Community College next year. She becomes the first member of the 2016-17 recruiting class, which will easily project to be the best recruiting class in program history once complete.
"This is a groundbreaking signing. There aren't very many 6-4 centers that have led their team to two straight final fours in the state of Ohio," said Owens Community College women's basketball head coach Michael Llanas. "Kam is a 2,000 point scorer. Again, not very many people get to 1,000 points, let alone 2,000. She had close to 350 blocks in her career and is a 1,000 rebound kid. We are ecstatic to have her as part of our program. She's going to solidify our inside game and allow our returning playerst to flourish facing the basket. So, this is a momumental day for our program."
Troike, who has set school records for most points in a game (39) and most points in a career (2,035), averaged 25.2 points, 12.5 rebounds, five blocks, two steals and two assists per game as a senior while leading St. Wendelin to a 26-4 record and the brink of a Division IV state championship before falling to Waterford in the title game.
Aside from her 2,000 plus point career, Troike also grabbed 1,278 career rebounds, which would be the eighth highest career total in Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) history once officially recognized, and swatted 323 shots in her career. She previously committed to play at NCAA Division I Kent State University.
"Coming to Owens was actually a really big decision for me," Troike said. "I didn't know how I was going to feel going to a four-year college and juggling basketball and school, so this is kind of my trial run to see if I can do it when I'm done with my two years at Owens. I (also) love that everyone's just so friendly here. It just made my decision even better. I love people who are friendly and treat me like I'm already part of the team."
A two-time All-Toledo Blade selection, Troike was was named First Team All-Sandusky River League (SRL), SRL Player of the Year, First Team All-District, District Player of the Year, First Team All-Ohio and Division IV Ohio Co-Player of the Year as a senior.
Some of her senior year highlights included 37 points against St. Mary's; 36 points and 18 rebounds vs Old Fort; 37 points and 20 rebounds vs New Riegel; 34 points and 15 rebounds against Lima Senior; 33 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks vs Tiffin Calvert; 37 points and 15 rebounds vs Liberty-Benton; 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks vs New Riegel; 35 points and 12 rebounds vs Fremont St. Joe; 34 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks vs Old Fort in the district semifinal; 28 points and 15 rebounds in the district championship game against Carey; and 24 points, 17 rebounds and eight blocks in the state semifinal win over Jackson Center.
Following the season, Troike produced 27 points and 19 rebounds in the Sandusky Bay Conference (SBC) vs SRL area all-star game. During the season, she posted 22 double-doubles.
"Kam certainly took Fostoria St. Wendelin to new heights, and we're hoping she'll anchor our middle and take us to new heights," Llanas said.
As a junior, Troike averaged 21.1 points and 13.1 rebounds per game en route to First Team All-SRL, SRL Player of the Year, First Team All-District, District Player of the Year, First Team All-Ohio and Division IV Ohio Co-Player of the Year honors. She was named JJ Huddle Player of the Week in Ohio after recording 25 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks vs Lakota to surpass 1,000 career points, and she recorded a triple-double vs Bowsher on Jan. 27. In the postseason, she led St. Wendelin to its first ever state Final 4 appearance.
As a sophomore, Troike averaged 20.9 points and 14.7 rebounds while averaging 63 percent from the field. She was named First Team All-Midland Athletic League (MAL), MAL Player of the Year, First Team All-District, District Player of the Year and Division IV Second Team All-Ohio. She had 24 points and 23 rebounds in the season opener against Elmwood and broke the single game scoring record three times throughout the year, including a 35 point game.
As a freshman, Troke averaged 8.8 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Academically, Troike is an honor roll student.
Stay tuned to OwensExpress.com in the coming week as the 2016-17 recruiting class grows. Owens also signed Essence Cowan, a 5'6" combo guard from Lima Senior High School in Lima, Ohio this afternoon.
"Those are two kids from the 419 area code," Llanas said. "We definitely want the best players in the Northwest Ohio area, and we certainly have accomplished that today."
Notes
The Owens women's basketball program recently finished a 29-7 season that included the program's fourth straight Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) championship, a Region XII District I championship and a fifth place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Tournament. The team advanced as far as the NJCAA Elite 8.
It was the program's second straight and third appearance in the past four years at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, where they have recorded three top 10 finishes in the past 4 seasons (7th in 2012-13, 3rd in 2014-15 and 5th in 2015-16). In 2014-15, the team advanced to the NJCAA Division II Final 4. The team has also captured five of the past six OCCAC championships and three of the past four Region XII District I championships.
Furthermore, the program has won at least 25 games in each of the past seven seasons. During that time, the program has compiled a 195-37 record (.841 winning percentage), including an 81-9 record (.900 winning percentage) in OCCAC play.
Head coach Michael Llanas, who recently completed his 12th season at Owens, has compiled a 294-96 record during that time. Furthermore, he has achieved a 127-29 record in OCCAC play with six OCCAC championships.