By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Westerville, Ohio---Kaylah Ivey, a 6'1" center from Westerville South High School in Westerville, Ohio, has become the latest member of next year's Owens Community College women's basketball recruiting class after signing a letter of intent Monday night during a ceremony at her high school.
Ivey, who was ranked among the top 100 power forwards in the nation, averaged 9.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks as a senior while leading her team to a 14-9 record.
Furthermore, Ivey set the program's single game rebounding record with 19, while producing 422 points, 411 rebounds (176 offensive) and 81 blocks in her career despite missing her sophomore year.
Coached by Silas Williams, Ivey was named First Team Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) Cardinal Division and Division I Associated Press All-Central District Honorable Mention as a senior.
As a junior, Ivey averaged 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game en route to Honorable Mention All-OCC Cardinal Division and Honorable Mention All-District honors.
Some of her highlights as a senior included 13 points and 13 rebounds in a game against Westerville North, 17 rebounds in an overtime loss to Pickerington Central, and 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in a win over Pickerington North.
Stay tuned to OwensExpress.com this week as the 2016-17 recruiting class grows. This past Friday, Owens signed 6'4" center Kamryn Troike from St. Wendelin High School in Fostoria, Ohio and 5'6" combo guard Essence Cowan from Lima Senior High School in Lima, Ohio.
The additions of Ivey and Troike add to what is shaping up to be an impressive front court next year as Owens is scheduled to return 6'0" forward Jeryn Reese (Mansfield/Mansfield, Ohio), who was named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Second Team All-American this past year, 6'0" center Aysah Ingram (Trotwood-Madison/Trotwood, Ohio), who averaged 12.1 points and 10.1 rebounds as a freshman, and 5'11" forward Mekaila Grose (Madison/Mansfield, Ohio), who averaged 4.5 points and 4.4 rebounds as a freshman.
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.