University of Washington Official Athletic Site - Women's Basketball
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Payne, Autrey, O'Neill to play for Huskies next year.
November 11, 1998
SEATTLE, Wash. - The University of Washington women's basketball team received three signed letters of intent on the first day of the early signing period. Loree Payne (Havre, Mont.), Emily Autrey (Kennewick, Wash.), and Kellie O'Neill (Lynnwood, Wash.), a trio versatile, 6-foot-tall guard/forwards will play for the Huskies beginning in the 1999-2000 season.
Payne, a guard/forward from Havre High School, is the two-time reigning player of the year in the state of Montana, as chosen by Gatorade. She has a 4.0 grade point average off the court, and has been an all-state selection for the past two years. She led her team to the state class A championship as a junior. Payne currently averages 28 points, nine rebounds, and six assists per game and is a Nike All-American this season.
Autrey has led the Big Nine conference in scoring each of the past two seasons for Kamiakin High School. She has been named all-area and all-conference her sophomore and junior seasons for the Braves. Autrey has led her team to a 73-8 record over the past three seasons, including a 22-4 mark and regional championship last year.
O'Neill, from Meadowdale High School, led her team to a 25-2 record and a seventh place finish at the state championships last season, following a WesCo district championship. She was selected to the all-state team as a junior and is a two-time selection to the first team in the WesCo conference.
We are extremely pleased with our new class, said third year Husky head coach June Daugherty. We were able to go after these top-notch, national quality players and get them committed to Washington during the early signing period is a great accomplishment. They are all versatile athletes who will allow us to run up-tempo on offense and to press defensively. All come from well-coached programs and should be able to handle a smooth transition into Division I basketball. They are excited to become Huskies and we look forward to the impact they will have on our program.
Loree Payne was a highly sought-after recruit nationwide, Daugherty continued. She is an excellent ballhandler with superior vision. She is a tremendous scorer, a poised guard who can play at several positions. Loree is the type of player who knows how to get her team involved. She is an instant offensive threat.
Emily Autry is an athletic player, said Daugherty. She is a scorer who comes from a winning program. I expect that her athleticism and experience will help us right away. Emily can also play several different positions on the court for us. She is that versatile. Emily can really get up on the glass. She is a tenacious rebounder and can mix it up with anybody.
Kellie ONeill is the real deal, said Daugherty, in reference to the players nickname. We are pleased that she chose to stay close to home, where her family will be able to see her play as a Husky. We want to continue our trend of keeping the top local talent at home, and continue to pursue our goal of winning a national championship with players from the state of Washington.
Washington Women's Basketball
Letter-of-intent Signee Biographies
Emily Autrey
6-0, guard/forward
Kennewick, Wash. (Kamiakin High School)
Varsity Basketball (grades 9-12)
Team MVP - 1997, 1998
Leading scorer - Big Nine Conference 1997, 1998
All-conference - 1997, 1998
Tri-City Herald All-Area Team - 1997, 1998
1998 team record: 22-4
1997 team record: 25-2
1996 team record: 26-2
Seattle Magic Basketball Club - 1997, 1998
Spokane Stars Basketball Club - 1998
Varsity Volleyball - grades 10-11
Team leader in blocks and kills - 1997, 1998
Varsity Track and Field - grades 9-12
Team MVP - 1997, 1998
State 4A Team Champions - 1998
State 4A champion, 100 meters - 1998 state 4x100 relay - second place - 1998; state 4x200 relay - second place - 1998; state 200 meters - fourth place - 1998.
National Honor Society - grades 11-12
Kellie O'Neill
6-2, guard/forward
Lynnwood, Wash. (Meadowdale High School)
1998 team record: 25-2
Seattle Times All-Star Team - 1998
Wendys High School Heisman Award Nominee - 1998
Snohomish County Officials Player of the Year - 1997-98
All-state, All-WesCo, All-area honoree - 1998
Honorable mention all-state selection - 1998 Averaged 19.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg - 1998
School record holder - single game rebounds (19) - 1998
National Honor Society - 1997, 1998
Loree Payne
6-0, point guard
Havre, Montana (Havre High School)
Three-year varsity basketball letterwinner Team MVP - 1995, 1996, 1997
All-conference - 1995, 1996, 1997
First team all-state - 1996, 1997
State class A MVP - 1995
State all-tournament team - 1995, 1997
All-state Hoop Team - 1995, 1996, 1997
Central class A Conference MVP - 1996
State class A Team Champions - 1997
1998 Gatorade Circle of Champions Montana High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year
USA Today - Selected as one of the top 25 players in the state of Montana - 1995, 1996, 1997
Heisman Award - state finalist
Nike All-American Camp player
Americas Best - Super Sophomores - 1996
Reebok All-Star Top 100 High School Juniors - 1997
Volleyball
Three-year varsity starter - 1996, 1997, 1998 State class A team Champions - 1998
Track and Field
State class A Champion - high jump - 1998
Academic All-State Award winner - 1995, 1996, 1997
