by Tommy Wells
Christmas came a few early for Skagit Valley Community College head coach Steve Epperson.
He isn’t complaining at all.
Epperson picked up one of Alaska’s top players last week when Scammon Bay High School standout Kiah Charlie announced she had to changed her collage plans and committed to SVCC. Earlier this month, she had said she would attend a college in Wisconsin but changed her mind a few days later due to the Washington program.
“They were both great opportunities,” said her father, Richard Charlie. “We decided Skagit Valley would be better for everyone. We have some friends down there, plus it makes it easier for her mother and I to travel to see her. The main thing is she is still going to play college ball.”
Charlie was one of Alaska’s top players over the past four years. As a junior, she helped guide the Lady Eagles to their first state championship. In March, she led the team to its second straight title and was named the Class 1A Player of the year.
At Skagit Valley, Charlie will be joining a Cardinals team that is coming off a solid 2016-17 season. The Cardinals finished third in the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament in March.
Charlie won’t be the only Alaskan on the Cardinals’ roster this season. Former Nome-Beltz standout Senora Ahmasuk played for Skagit Valley this season.