Tuesday, Dec, 26, 2006 • Lady Cougars to make history on Dec. 28

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006 edtion of the Lassen County Times.

For the first time in the history of the California community college basketball, five Native-American athletes will start for the Lassen College women’s basketball team.

Out of the 13 members of the Cougars, six are Native-American and five of them will be starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28 at home against Mendocino College.

The six include two sophomores, Lucinda Gurrola from Covelo, Calif., and Kyle Molino of Pyramid Lake, Nevada, and four freshman, Kathie Keats of Yearington Nevad., Shae Hall of Owyhee, Nevada, Leeja James and Autumn Burtt, both of Dresslerville, Nevada.

The six of them have more in common then their Native-American history and basketball, four of them are related. Molino is a cousin of Hall and with Keats, while Burtt is also a cousin of Keats.

“We all love playing ball. We have fun playing together because we all have the same style,” Molino said.

Last season, Gurrola, who is Pomo and Yuki, was voted the Golden Valley Conference Most Valuable Player. She has the size and a good touch from the inside and outside according to head coach Mark Nareau

Molino, who is Paiute and Shoshone was an Honorable Mention All-Conference player as a freshman. According to Nareau, she knows the game better then anyone on the team and is basically a second assistant when she’s not on the floor.

“Leeja and Autumn and I have been playing together since we were little kids,” Keats said.

Keats who is Paiute and Washoe, is very knowledgeable about the game, handles the ball well and is a fierce competitor, Nareau said.

James brings intensity to the team and is a leader on the team as a freshman. She adds humor and character to the team, adds Nareau. She is also Paiute and Washoe.

Burtt who is Washoe, Yokut and Wailiki is a skilled player who can shoot the three-pointer and play defense, said Nareau.

Hall, who is Shoshone and Paiute, is a two-sport athlete at Lassen Community College. She played volleyball for the Cougars in the fall. She is a great rebounder and has an evolving low-post game, said Nareau.

“They are a fun group. They like to have a good time, but they do work hard in the classroom and on the court,” Nareau said.

The six of them have become close as the season goes on and feel they bring a different dimension to the team when they get in the game.

“We all like to shoot the three when we can,” Molino said.

According to California Community College Women’s Basketball Association historian, Greg Murphy, and Nareau, it is strongly believed to be the first time that five Native American’s will start a basketball game at the collegiate level outside of schools on a reservation.

“It would be very exciting to be the first. All of our families are excited and proud,” Gurrola said.

Although the girls are enjoying their time at Lassen Community College, they are looking forward to their future after LCC.

“I can’t wait to graduate and help support my family,” James said.

The girls say their biggest accomplishment is to be able to play basketball at the collegiate level. They also add they are proud of the fact they have been able to stay out of trouble and are getting an education.

“I am the first one from my family to go to college, so it’s very exciting.” Keats said.

This season, the six girls have helped Lassen to a 13-4 record and a top 10 ranking in the state.

“The girls are all great inspirations to a lot of people. We are lucky to have each of them here at Lassen College,” Nareau said.