| School: Benson | Graduation Year: 1994 |
Sport Played: Basketball
Year Inducted: 2024
High School Honors: 2 Basketball letters. 1st Team All-PIL as a Junior and Senior; 3rd Team All-State as a Junior. On 3rd Place team in OSAA Finals as a Senior; Portland Observer All-City as a Senior
Post High School Career: Levelland TX CC, Basketball, 1994-1995 All-Freshman team, League All-Star team. Oregon State University Basketball, 1995-1998. 3rd Team All-Pac-10 as Senior. BS Degree in Sociology, 1999. Works with and mentors inner-city youth. Supervisor in Enrollment for Regence Blue Cross and Blue Shield; owner of a commercial cleaning business
Commentary:
Being inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame has been both a humbling and emotional experience. I am deeply honored to be chosen as an inductee this year. Growing up, basketball was not the first thing on my mind, nor was being inducted into the Hall of Fame something I ever thought I would achieve.
First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me with the talent, health, and opportunities that have allowed me to pursue my passion for basketball. Without His guidance and grace, none of this would have been possible.
To my family—my rock and my foundation—you have been my greatest supporters. Mom and Dad, your sacrifices and unwavering belief in me gave me the courage to chase my dreams. There were times that I wanted to give up, but you were always my cheerleaders encouraging me not to quit. I want to thank my husband who was a huge supporter and anchor through the highs and lows of my career. This honor is as much yours as it is mine.
I must also acknowledge my coaches, teammates, and mentors. Each of you played an integral role in my journey. Coach Mark Lewis, who is no longer with us, was the reason I played basketball. Who knows what my journey would have been like if it wasn’t for his constant encouragement. I would like to thank and acknowledge Dennis Carline and the other coaches who played a role in putting together a team of talented Black girls from Portland to participate in AAU tournaments so we could be seen by college scouts. To my teammates, thank you for the camaraderie, the battles, and the shared victories. Together, we achieved greatness and built memories that will last a lifetime.
As I look back on my career, I am filled with pride, not just for the accolades and awards, but for the lessons learned and the relationships forged. Basketball taught me about perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and the importance of giving back. It taught me that true greatness is measured not just by success on the court but by the impact you have off it.
I am humbled to join the list of the legends who have come before me. To be part of this Hall of Fame is an honor that words cannot fully express