Aysha Houk, a standout for the Iola High girls basketball team, has signed a letter of intent to play at Neosho Community College next year.
Houk has been among the Mustangs’ most reliable performers since her freshman season, culminating this year with her second-team All-Pioneer League honor.
But it took competing in an All-Star game in Chanute in April to convince Houk to give college hoops a try.
The all-star game, held at the NCC campus, allowed Houk to showcase her skills in front of Neosho women’s head coach, JJ Davis.
“It means a lot, I’ve been playing since I was 5 and it’s always been my sport,” said Houk. “I didn’t think I wanted to keep playing until I stepped back on the court for the all-star game and I knew I didn’t want to leave it. I’m happy Neosho’s coach (Davis) came up to me.”
One of Houk’s fondest memories from her playing days at Iola was from her freshman year when she drilled a buzzer-beater on Homecoming Night to defeat rival Chanute.
Houk made quite the leap in production for her senior year as she averaged 14.1 points per game, 1.2 assists per game and 3.3 rebounds per game. That’s higher than her junior season when she averaged 7.1 points per game, .45 assists per game and 1.8 rebounds per game.
A true point guard, Houk often took the scoring lead when needed, including a stellar game against Wellsville, scoring 23 points in a 51-43 win on Jan. 13. She had one of her other highest scoring games, a 21-point output, in a home loss to Burlington on Dec. 13.
“I’d hope my teammates describe me as hard working, resilient and never giving up,” said Houk, “being vocal and just being able to push the ball down court and be a good passer. I don’t think of myself as the big scorer, I just want to make plays
“I’ll speak up,” she continued. “I can handle the ball and I’ve played point guard since I’ve started. It’s always been my position and it’s where the coaches have always put me.”
When the Mustangs earned their first win of the season over Central Heights on Dec. 6, Houk led the scoring charge with a team-high 18 points. She also scored 17 in a win at Osawatomie Jan. 6.
“I think I’ve come a long way from freshman season,” she said. “I’ve become more vocal, and that’s a lot of thanks to Coach (Kelsey) Johnson because when I needed advice she would always help me out. I’m sad to leave her because we both have the same love for basketball.”
Houk is graduating from Iola High School Saturday.
“I just hope to compete at a higher level because once you get to college, it’s a lot of girls who have played their whole lives,” said Houk. “I think it will be really good seeing different competition and it’ll be fun.”
