The Three Rivers College men's and women's basketball teams took some time Wednesday afternoon at the Libla Family Sports Complex to celebrate 10 sophomores — six women's players and four men — who have committed to play at the four-year level.
For the women, Da'Naya Ross is headed to Grambling State, while Kiera Neal is headed to Bethune Cookman and Courtney Bluitt is headed to Mississippi Valley State — all three members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges and universities leagues in the nation.
Meanwhile, the duo of Caitlin Lord and Lynn Rieth are headed to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, while Tristan Spearman is headed to Lane College in Memphis, another HBCU.
“Overall, I'm really, really proud of those six,” TRC women's coach Alex Wiggs said. “All six kids that are graduating are moving on to the four year-level. … But the most important thing is that all six of them are continuing their education.”
On the men's side, Matt Hampton is headed to Tennessee-Chattanooga, while Johann Pautsch is going to Southern Indiana, Bryce Wallace is going to Wisconsin-Parkside and Antonio Williams is headed to Winston-Salem State, another HBCU.
“I'm super excited for them to take the next step on their journey in life and with basketball as well,” TRC men's coach Robert Kirby said. “They think of it as just basketball. I think it was just about life where it takes us along the way. Each one of them is excited about the next opportunity.”
For Ross, Grambling State is a homecoming for her as a Louisiana native.
“She went down there on a visit and (will be) 20 minutes from home,” Wiggs said. “It's a great school and a great program down there. She's just going to bring that toughness, that athleticism and that competitiveness.”
Neal's commitment to Bethune Cookman is a triumph for a player who missed all but five games of the 2024-25 season with an injury.
“Kiera was struggling with with some doubt, as far as 'will I be able to come back? Will I be able to make it to that level?'” Wiggs said. “She had 10 Division I opportunities and decided to go to Bethune Cookman.”
Meanwhile, Bluitt will be reuniting with a former TRC teammate in Mississippi.
“Courtney is a kid that I think is going to do really well,” Sydnei Marshall from last year's (TRC) team is down there at Mississippi Valley. And I think Courtney really adds to to what they were looking for and what they were needing.”
After playing together at TRC, Lord and Rieth will still be on the same team in south Texas.
“Lynn Rieth and Caitlin Lord will be great, great assets to that team on both ends of the floor,” Wiggs said. “(People) know what they bring on the offensive end, but what they've learned here and what they will take with them as far as on the defensive end (may surprise some people).”
And like Ross, Spearman will be getting to play close to home by going to Lane.
“Tristan had a lot of opportunities and wanted to go somewhere that was good and competitive, but also somewhere that she could really help the team be successful,” Wiggs said. “Tristan is going into a program that's really well-coached.”
On the men's side, Wallace is another one whose signing with a four-year school represents a triumph over injuries.
“I am so proud of Bryce, just his mental toughness, his fortitude and just total, total commitment to getting better and getting healed,” Kirby said. “A lot of guys that … (have) been injured that long with different injuries, they just go ahead, just shut it down and say, it's just not for me. Bryce is not that way.”
Williams was the Raiders' most improved player this season, emerging as a force.
“Tony is one of those guys that you love to see him have that success, especially coming from what he went through his freshman year,” Kirby said. … “And after his freshman year, he went home and worked his butt off. He was in the gym three times a day doing the things he needed to do.”
Kirby expects Pautsch to be a “great player” for Southern Indiana.
“His offense has gone through the roof this year from standpoint of movement and how to shoot his jump hook,” Kirby said. … “His face-up shot (has) gone through the roof … (and) he's knocking that shot down and handling the ball away from the basket.”
Last but not least, Kirby had high praise for Hampton, the team's MVP this season.
“Matt is just Mr. Consistent,” Kirby said. … “From the standpoint of moving the ball — and being able to still get his points and understand the time to score, his growth has been phenomenal. Just watching him grow as a young man on the court (has been great) — and off the court, he's always been great.”
Mike Buhler - Daily American Republic