Griffitts signs with Arizona

North Idaho College women’s basketball sophomores Kama Griffitts and Kiki Edwards-Teasley signed national letters of intent this past week.

Griffitts, a former Coeur d’Alene High standout, signed with the University of Arizona of the Pac-10 Conference and Edwards-Teasley, from Lewiston High, signed with the University of Portland of the West Coast Conference.

Griffitts, a first-team all-Scenic West Athletic Conference selection last season, made her decision after a weekend visit to Tucson at the end of November. NIC coach Chris Carlson said Griffitts especially liked the area after living in Tucson when she was younger but after she met the coaches and players she decided to sign early. Arizona watched Griffitts play at the NJCAA tournament last March.

“She’s really excited to get down there,” Carlson said. “She visited Westmont in Santa Barbara and really wanted to go to Gonzaga out of high school. Gonzaga didn’t work out because of the players in the last recruiting class matching her skills. Both Boise State and Idaho were trying to get her, but Arizona came in at the right time. She had some connections down there and it seemed to be good timing that they came along.”

Edwards-Teasley overcame a broken bone in her foot last December to excel at nationals last March averaging 11 points and seven rebounds per game as the Lady Cards went on to place eighth. Portland was interested in her coming out of high school.

“Kiki was on a lot of radars after nationals but I think the family connections and proximity made the difference for her,” Carlson said. “I was surprised she signed early but after her visit to UP this fall she had no doubts.”