LEWISTON — The Lewis-Clark State Warriors women’s basketball team has its next star, and she hails from Bonners Ferry High. 

Taren Bateman, the Badgers star, officially signed with LC State on Monday and will join the team for its 2027-2028 season. In her junior year, Bateman posted 21.2 points, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game and earned 4A Intermountain League MVP honors for her efforts. 

Head coach Caelyn Orlandi, who is 77-22 lifetime at LC State, said the team is thrilled to have Bateman joining their team and called her the perfect addition to the Warriors. 

"Her basketball skill set, academic strengths and who she is embody all it means to be a Warrior," Orlandi said. "Her athleticism, strength, pull-up jump shot and competitive drive are just some of the strengths she is going to bring to the court for us. She is going to be extremely difficult to guard, and I know that she is going to be so fun to watch. Taren works incredibly hard, she loves the game and is going to be a great addition to our Warrior family.” 

In addition to her success on the basketball court, Bateman also competes in track and plays for the Badgers’ volleyball team. In her senior year, Bateman has been a star for the Bonners Ferry volleyball team, leading the team with 71 kills, 62 digs, 88 receptions, 19 service aces and seven blocks. 

Orlandi also pointed to Bateman’s success on the Meta hoops AAU travel team, a Boise-based spring and summer basketball club. 

“She makes an immediate impact when she is on the court, and I look forward to when she gets to be in a Warrior uniform," Orlandi said. 

LC State competes out of the Cascade Collegiate Conference at the NAIA level and plays their home basketball games at P1FCU Activity Center in Lewiston. The Warriors' season typically runs from October through March. 

Orlandi’s group is fresh off a berth to the NAIA National Championship, where they fell 78-70 to Bethel University from Tennessee. They hope the additions of Bateman, June Fiander, Makenna Klitzke and Elise Kingston in their 2027 class will keep them atop the NAIA ranks.