Gipson Signs Two for RiverHawks
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State women’s head basketball coach Randy Gipson announced the signing of two high school players to national letters-of-intent Thursday to play for the RiverHawks beginning this fall.
Joining the RiverHawks are Taylor Collins, 5-10 guard/forward from Heavener and Katy Harsen, 5-6 guard from Coweta. Collins and Harsen have both been selected to play in the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association All-State game and the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State game.
“Both of these young ladies are good athletes, and really hard nose competitors,” said NSU’s Gipson. “I just like the determined attitude that they both displayed and everything I’ve seen them do. I think they will fit in real well as far as our team with good work ethic and being tough competitors.”
Harsen led the Coweta Tigers to two regional appearances, and an area appearance while averaging 17.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists. She also had 3.3 steals per game her senior season. Harsen’s career numbers are also outstanding over her four seasons, averaging 19.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 5.5 steals, while shooting 53.7 percent from the floor.
Harsen shot 53.9 from behind the arc during her senior season and 85.9 percent at the free throw line.
She was also selected as co-player of the Year in the Metro Lakes Conference and was a member of the KTUL channel 8 Elite Eight member. Harsen also played soccer in high school and has a 4.043 weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Collins averaged 18.3 points and 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists her senior season, while averaging 6.25 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. She is a 3-time Black Diamond All-Conference selection, the 2007 Southwest Times Record Newcomer of the year, 2010 Leflore County Tournament MVP, Leflore County Journal Player of the Year, and the Southwest Times Oklahoma Player of the Year.
Collins helped guide Heavener to four district champions, 1 regional championship, 2 area appearances. and one state tournament appearance.
Gipson said Harsen is a combination guard, point and 2-guard, who “shoots very well and can play at either spot.” Gipson said she had good physical strength and has the ability to guard people, who are “little bit bigger and taller than her.”
Gipson indicated that Collins is a “multiple position player”. He said she can play guard and could also play small forward for the RiverHawks because of her strength.
“Our kids are strong student-athletes and both of these young ladies will fit in well,” said Gipson. “They both have strong academic standards. They are both team players and they will fit right in with our rotation that we have developed. That is a key trait,” said Gipson.
