By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
PHOTOS - here
Lima, Ohio---Essence Cowan, a 5'6" combo guard from Lima Senior High School in Lima, Ohio, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Owens Community College next year. She becomes the second member of the 2016-17 recruiting class, which will easily project to be the best recruiting class in program history once complete.
"I actually feel like Owens is a perfect fit for me," Cowan said. "What made me go to Owens is I fit their game. I feel like I can help them get that national championship."
Cowan produced 1,169 points in her career with Lima Senior. As a senior, she became just the eighth player in program history to eclipse 1,000 career points and finished her career fifth on the program's all-time scoring list.
"She's definitely a proven scorer. She has probably one of the purest, smoothest jump shots I've ever seen," said Owens Community College women's basketball assistant coach Stephen Perry. "What's great about her is that she's not only a spot up shooter, but can create her own shot off the dribble, and she sees the floor well. I don't think she gets a lot of credit for her passing, but she's a very good passer. She has a high motor and I think the style that we play fits what she wants to do. We like to get up and down the floor. We like to do a lot of running, jumping and trapping, all that kind of stuff. She's going to bring a lot of energy to us, and that's why her signing is really exciting."
As a senior, Cowan was named Second Team All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC), Second Team All-Northwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio after averaging 16.2 points per contest. She is the cousin of University of Michigan commit Xavier Simpson, who is also in his final year at Lima Senior.
Academically, she is an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. Furthermore, she is a member of DECA.
Stay tuned to OwensExpress.com in the coming week as the 2016-17 recruiting class grows. Owens also signed Kamryn Troike, a 6'4" center from Fostoria St. Wendelin High School in Fostoria, Ohio, earlier this afternoon.
"Those are two kids from the 419 area code," said Owens Community College women's basketball head coach Michael Llanas. "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.