ANDERSON, Mo. -- It's not often when a high school player signs with an out-of-state college to continue his or her athletic career, the college is actually closer to home than where they attend high school.
That is just the case for Preslea Reece. Reece, a 5-11 forward/guard for the McDonald County (Mo.) Lady Mustangs recently signed to play basketball at John Brown University.
Reece is the daughter of Shane and Angela Reece. The family lives south of Southwest City, so they can be in Siloam Springs in less time than they can be at McDonald County High School.
"John Brown has academically (pre-physical therapy or kinesiology) what I am wanting and it's a four-year school which I like," Reece said. "It's close enough for my family to come visit or for me to go home."
Reece, a four-year starter at MCHS, joined the 1,000-club earlier this season and finished the year averaging a team-leading 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. She also led the Lady Mustangs by shooting 38 percent (27 for 71) from behind the three point line.
Defensively, Reece had 91 steals, 31 deflections and 23 blocked shots.
"It's very exciting to be able to go on and play college basketball," Reece said. "I am ready for the next chapter after four years of high school. It sounds like we are going to start in April. I will get to meet the girls then and I know who my roommate is, so I feel comfortable."
Reece will be playing for longtime JBU coach Jeff Soderquist, who has won over 260 games in his 18 years as head coach. He said Reece's ability to handle the ball at her size will be a great addition to the Lady Eagles.
"We like her height and her mobility at her height," Soderquist said. "We run a motion offense where all the people have to play facing the basket. I think she will be able to that for us and that is what we really liked about her."
Reece, who was also a standout volleyball player at MCHS, had the opportunity to play that sport at college, but instead chose basketball.
"I debated for about a year on which sport I wanted to play," Reece said. "But I am more comfortable playing basketball. I've done it longer."
Lady Mustang coach Blake Short, who will enter his third season as head coach of the Lady Mustangs next year, will have to face a season without Reece for the first time.
"Preslea has been a mainstay for our program the past four years," Short said. "She has done a great job being an offensive and defensive leader. Off the court or on the court it didn't matter, she is a great example to others. She is a great player. John Brown is getting a good one who has a ton of potential, even more so than she has been able to show in high school. I think she has a lot of room to grow. John Brown got a steal and they are going to be happy with what they see in the future."
Over the years Reece picked up numerous awards, including KURM Dream Team for four years; All-District and Neosho Classic All-Tournament Team as a sophomore; All-District and Seneca Invitational All-Tournament Team as a junior; and All-Conference Big 8 First Team, All-District, Seneca Invitational All-Tournament Team and Carl Junction Classic All-Tournament Team as a senior.
Soderquist said he excepts Reece to contribute as a freshman.
"We have a lot of new players coming in and a lot of them will have to give us minutes," Soderquist said. "There are adjustments to the college level with the speed and the strength of the game, but we are expecting her to help us right from the start."
Sports on 04/08/2015