Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs basketball standout Alyssa Simon's high school career came to an end this week.

It wasn't with the swoosh of a net, but instead the slash of the pen. Simon made the transition from the Steamboat Sailors high school ranks to the University of Colorado Bears ranks by signing a letter of intent to play with the Bears next fall.

"UNC was my first choice," Simon said on Tuesday. "I'm very excited about the chance to play basketball there."

Simon played basketball all four years at Steamboat Springs High School. Last year, in her final season, Simon led the Sailors in scoring with 20 points a game. She also pulled down six rebounds and had five steals per game.

Simon had visited Greeley last fall and this winter, but didn't want to make a commitment to the Northern Colorado school until it hired a new coach.

That happened earlier this month when the university hired Erica Leady. Then, Simon signed with the university.

Simon said she also looked at the possibility of signing with Metro State, the Colorado School of Mines, Western State, Adams State and Missouri.

But Simon grew fond of UNC over the year. The Steamboat senior said she was impressed by Jessica Logan, a former Soroco Ram who graduated from UNC this spring, and another Bear player, Kristy Held, who is in her junior year with the team.

"I played with Kristy at nationals when I was a sophomore, so I knew her when I went to visit the school," Simon said.

Simon said that both UNC players had a huge influence on her final decision.

Simon also added that the signing has brought her to the realization that she will not be playing for Steamboat anymore.

"I'm really going to miss playing basketball here and playing with this team," Simon said.

She said she is especially sad to leave coach Bruce Alston who has helped her a great deal over the last four years and many of her teammates in Steamboat that have become close friends.

To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209 or e-mail jrussell@amigo.net