SANDPOINT — This time next year, Jordyn Tomco and Livia Driggs will be around 3,000 miles away from each other. However, on Wednesday afternoon, they were shoulder to shoulder as the duo signed to play Division II collegiate basketball.  

Tomco will leave the lower 48 states and head to the University of Alaska at Anchorage, while Driggs is heading south to play for Westminster University in Salt Lake City next year. The two have played alongside each other since middle school and loved the idea of celebrating their accomplishment together.  

"This just makes me feel so loved, like to an immense amount," Tomco said of her signing day. "My mom did like most of the planning. She got the balloons for everyone [and] just wanted me to have the best time ever, and she made that happen ... doing it with Livy too, being like super close with her since middle school. It's just been such a fun experience seeing both of us just get to sign to where our futures are."  

For Tomco, her future will feature a homecoming as Sandpoint's star grew up in Anchorage. That childhood connection is what helped Tomco connect with Seawolves head coach Matt Thune during a trip to Indiana while she was on the AAU circuit.  

Tomco said she reached out to Thune to recognize the long trip he made to recruit for UAA. 

"He was like, 'This is so ironic. Like I wrote like five names down and I was gonna reach out to you,'" Tomco said. "After that, we were in contact. I called him. He offered me a full ride, and after that, I visited Alaska, fell in love with the college and the program ... I just felt like it was meant to be." 

In her junior year, Tomco averaged 15 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game for the Bulldogs. She's joining an Alaska Anchorage team that competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference alongside several DII schools in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The Seawolves are currently off to a 3-2 start this season after a 16-11 season last year under Thune. 

In addition to her parents, Andrew and Kelcee Tomco, Sandpoint's senior small forward thanked all of her coaches from every level of basketball she's played and said that they've pushed her to become a competitive person to get her to this level. She added that she's looking forward to making instant friends on campus in Alaska and beginning her new journey as a part of the Seawolves pack. 

"Being on a team just helps so much with like your community and stuff," Tomco said. "I'm so excited. I love my coaches. I love the leaders on the team. I love the program of Alaska and what it has to offer." 

Sandpoint girls basketball head coach Madison Schoening said the Seawolves are getting a feisty, coachable competitor on the court and a fun-loving, goofy girl whose presence fills a room off the court. Schoening said she couldn't be more proud of both of the girls for their accomplishments.  

"I love how competitive both of them are. Those two colleges are getting two kids that are going to hoop and play hard for them," Schoening said. "They're great girls, I love them and I'm proud of them."  

Driggs, one of Sandpoint's star guards, will be heading to Salt Lake City to join the Westminster Griffins of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs' defensive specialist said Westminster was the school that pursued her the most through her recruitment process and has a defensive-focused coaching staff. 

"The campus, it was really pretty, and it was what I expected it to look like," Driggs said. "It felt good for me, and I really liked it." 

Schoening said Driggs is a "spicy competitor" on defense and a loyal friend to her teammates. Last season, Driggs averaged 8.6 points per game, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.8 rebounds per game. 

Driggs thanked her parents and all of her coaches and the Mire family, including teammate Brecken Mire. 

"My parents sacrificed so much for me," Driggs said. "Coach John Graham, he's been such a big influence. I played under him junior and senior year in the summer. He helped me a lot with my game and got me in contact with those [college] coaches." 

While the senior said that she can hardly believe that this is her final year at Sandpoint High, she said she looks forward to competing at the next level. 

"I'm excited to go play at a higher level and see what the competition is like," Driggs said. "Also building new friends and having another team that I can be a part of." 

    Sandpoint seniors Jordyn Tomco, left, and Livia Driggs, right, sign to their chosen Division II colleges on Wednesday at Sandpoint High. Tomco signed to the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Driggs signed to Westminster University.