Houston senior to play Division II basketball, makes school history

HOUSTON — As Houston High activities director Norm Bouchard introduced Savanna James Wednesday afternoon, Bouchard recalled hitting local open gyms with James’ father and seeing Savanna, as young as 2 or 3, running across the basketball court.

James has spent much of her life in a gymnasium, and Wednesday, the Houston senior ensured she’ll continue to spend much of her time on the court.

Joined by her parents, grandparents, friends, coaches and teammates, James signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Division II Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D.

James said it’s always been her dream to play basketball, a sport that is second only to family in her life.

“(Basketball) takes up half my life,” James said. “I’m either at home or in the gym.”

James, a player regarded as one of Houston High’s best athletes in recent memory, was courted by a number of schools at different levels.

Division I Portland and New Mexico State and Division II Western Washington showed interest. She narrowed her list down to a final two — Division I Weber State and Division II Black Hills State — and didn’t announce her decision until she removed her Houston High jacket to reveal the shirt bearing the logo of her new school, Black Hills State.

Even though she passed on the offers from the Division I programs, James said she was flattered to get the interest.

“I never thought I could make it past NAIA,” James said.

A variety of factors led to her decision, but ultimately, James said Black Hills State is where she felt at home.

“It’s where I’m going to be the most comfortable,” James said.

James had a chance to visit the South Dakota campus and loved what she saw.

“It’s beautiful. It’s country-oriented, not too big, not too small,” James said. “Just right.”

James expects to play guard for the Yellow Jackets, a team that competes in the Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. James also said she could see minutes early in her career

“I know I’ll get playing time, I’ll be working my butt off,” James said.

James realized a lifelong goal Wednesday, but also made Houston High history. Bouchard said James is the first Houston High student-athlete to ink an intent during the NCAA early signing period.

“It’s big for us. It’s good to see you can succeed here if you’re willing to put in the time and effort,” Bouchard said. “It has nothing to do with where you go to school. If you put in the time and effort you’ll get recognized.”

Bouchard said James had the opportunity to play with traveling all-star teams during the offseason, which was key to her gaining recognition.

“She’s heard for years, if you go to Houston High, you’ll never play college basketball,” Bouchard said. “But if you take time to get good enough and join those teams, you’re going to have offers. She made sure she was on those trips, played hard and played very well.”

Bouchard served as an assistant on the Houston girls’ basketball staff during James’ freshman and sophomore seasons. Bouchard said James has grown tremendously as a player and a person.

“She has a lot of natural ability, but she’s developed that too,” Bouchard said. “She’s taken that ability and made something. She had that natural ability as a freshman, but where she’s grown the most is she’s grown up enough to appreciate it and take it to another level.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.