Georgia Stirton, a freshman point guard, came to North Idaho College from Melbourne, Australia, with the goal of someday getting to play college basketball at a high level.

After being named a second team All-American by the NJCAA earlier this week, that dream is even closer to coming true.

Stirton finished the season averaging 8.8 points per game with 124 assists (3.9 per game) and 50 steals and was named the Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Year during the Region 18 tournament at North Idaho College in March.

“For a freshman, that’s remarkable,” NIC women’s basketball coach Chris Carlson said. “As a player of the year, she’s definitely going to be the top player promoted out of our league next season. She had a great year, and the best part is, we get her back. A lot of times, kids don’t get this kind of recognition until their sophomore year, but she’s definitely in a position where she’s more visible on the court and we’re happy for her.”

NIC’s women (28-5) advanced to the NJCAA tournament after receiving an at-large bid, losing in the first round to Williston State. Stirton is one of three freshmen on the NIC roster.

“Her skill set is something special,” Carlson said. “She’s a great ball handler, great passer and has some great moves on the court. We had a great team this year and could feed off her ability and make her look better. She has a great skill set she’s worked on for years and a team that performed well. Georgia wants to go on and play at a higher level and will be on a lot more radars from other schools now.”

Jalil Abdul-Bassit, a sophomore from Anchorage who transferred from Monroe College last summer and has signed with Oregon, was named an honorable mention for the NIC men.

Adriana Dent of Southern Idaho was selected to the women’s second team and Rachel Morris the third team for Salt Lake. Patrice Toston was an honorable mention for CSI.

Skyler Halford (first team) and Sal Tummala (third team) of Region 18 tournament champion Salt Lake were named to the men’s list.

MOVING ON: A little over a month after their final game at NIC, a pair of sophomores on the women’s basketball team have committed to four-year schools.

Angela Woods will move onto Central Washington University in Ellensburg in the fall.

“They’ve been following her pretty good,” Carlson said. “They had quite a few players in on visits, but she was the first one. They offered her right away and she committed right away. She’s happy to be in that league and not too far from home.”

She might have familiar company as fellow sophomores Mollie Kramer and Hannah Love are also receiving interest from the school. Carlson’s assistant coach and wife, Carey, played at Central Washington.

“Those coaches at Central followed us quite a bit and watched us quite a bit,” Carlson said. “Angela’s playing style fit them and I wouldn’t be surprised if we’ve got a few more kids heading that way. Carey played there, so she’s happy to have another Wildcat among that group of players she’s coached.”

Kabri Emerson, who transferred from Montana State-Billings, will move onto Montana Tech in Butte.

“That’s home for her,” Carlson said. “She liked their OSHA program and is happy to be playing at Tech.”

Emerson will join Lexi Turkenburg of Coeur d’Alene Charter and Cienna Close of Lakeland High in Rathdrum on the Montana Tech roster in the fall.

RANKED NATIONALLY: The North Idaho College men’s golf team is ranked 15th in the latest NJCAA Division I poll, receiving 35 points. Odessa College is the top ranked team with 98 points.

The men’s championship is May 12-17 at The Rawls Course at Texas Tech in Lubbock.

NIC’s women are ranked 20th in the latest poll, released on April 3, down one spot from the previous poll on March 14.

The women’s tournament is May 13-16 at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz.