AURORA — Judging by what college coaches think of the Regis Jesuit’s girls basketball team, no team should be more feared in Colorado this season.
Six Raiders seniors — Diani Akigbogun (Texas), Neffie Lockley (Howard), Jordan Molyneaux (Seton Hall), Justine Hall (Purdue), Kelsi Lidge (Drexel) and Anna Ptasinski (Lafayette) — signed letters to intent Wednesday to play at NCAA Division I schools next year. Another senior, Cheyenne Cleveland, will play at Bethany College in Kansas.
“We may have one Division I kid or two Division I kids (a year), but to have the six-pack here is something quite special, because they worked so hard,” Regis Jesuit coach Carl Mattei said. “On a basketball team, everyone works the same and usually the most athletic kid gets the opportunity. To see all six kids get offered, it’s incredible.”
Mattei, who has coached the girls since their freshman season, said he had no idea this group would be so special when he first met them.
“These kids had to jump right in. Their freshman year, they went to the (Class 5A state tournament) finals and I thought, ‘Man, they’re special to have that kind of composure.’ To see them continue along and grow as young women is incredible.”
With practice for the new season beginning Wednesday, Akigbogun said she enjoyed the festivities but was looking forward to getting back to work.
“We’ve been together since we were 11 years old, so we’ve known each other for a very long time. It hasn’t kicked in yet,” said Akigbogun, the 2013 Denver Post Ms. Colorado basketball. “I think at the end of the year, it’s going to start feeling a little sad about us leaving each other. Right now, we’re just set to go out and get another state championship.”
Her coach agreed.
“Now we can put all the fluff behind us. It’s so exciting. I’m so proud of them, but as a basketball coach, let’s throw the ball and go play,” Mattei said.
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or
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Here are Coloradans who have signed (or will soon) with Division I basketball teams, including name, high school and college:
BOYS
Jonathan Barnes, Ponderosa, Wyoming
Zach Braxton, Highlands Ranch, Weber St.
Dylan Clark, Sand Creek, Air Force
Dominique Collier, Denver East, Colorado
Ronnie Harrell, Denver East, Creighton
Jeremiah Page, Rangeview, Colorado State
Jake Pemberton, Mountain Vista, Denver
Toby Van Ry, Fort Collins, Colorado State
GIRLS
Diani Akigbogun, Regis Jesuit, Texas
Natalie Baker, Chaparral, Wyoming
Haley Blodgett, Golden, Montana State
Bailee Cotton, DSST, Wyoming
Michelle Cox, Denver East, Tennessee State
Justine Hall, Regis Jesuit, Purdue
Myanne Hamm, Poudre, Colorado State
Kelsi Lidge, Regis Jesuit, Drexel
Neffie Lockley, Regis Jesuit, Howard
Jordan Molyneaux, Regis Jesuit, Seton Hall
Ciera Morgan, Highlands Ranch, Denver
Tatum Neubert, Elizabeth, Oregon
Anna Ptasinski, Regis Jesuit, Lafayette
