New head coach leads Houston girls into season

HOUSTON — The Houston girls are a young team, with only two seniors and a first-year head coach. But the Hawks also have one of the top players in the Mid-Alaska Conference, and maybe even one of the top athletes in the history of the Houston girls basketball program.

Senior Savanna James, who recently committed to Division II Black Hills State University in South Dakota, will lead the Hawks into the 2011-12 season. James is a four-year varsity player at Houston who also garnered attention from Division I programs during the offseason. First-year head coach Pat Egelus said a key this year is blending the talents of James with the rest of the pieces the Hawks have to offer.

“The big goal is making sure we’re incorporating everybody, but using her to all of her ability,” Egelus said.

James has played just about every role during her time with the Hawks. Last season, James established herself as a presence in the post. Egelus said the Hawks will continue that, but also use her skills on the wing.

“She’s a big, strong girl. We’ll put her inside,” Egelus said of the 6-footer. “We’ll try to use both to our advantage.”

Jannae Shannon joins James in the two-player senior class. Shannon, also a wrestler at HHS, brings athleticism and tenacity to the Houston backcourt.

“She’s a great athlete, very fast,” Egelus said. “She’s really smart, and really sees the floor.”

Shannon can play any one of Houston’s three guard positions, Egelus said. Egelus also noted the work of guards Lashawna Lee and Vickie Baybado. Shana Barber will help inside, he said.

Egelus replaced Sean Seamands as the head coach of the HHS basketball program. Egelus, also head coach of the cross-country running and track programs at Houston High, has coached basketball at Houston Middle School for the last six years.

“I’ve been curious about it for the last few years,” Egelus said.

Egelus is a 2000 graduate of Palmer High and played basketball for the Moose under former PHS head coach Brandon Blake.

Houston opened the 2011-12 season in Sitka late Thursday.

** Editor’s Note: This is one of a multi-part series previewing the seasons of the local prep basketball teams. Continue to see future editions for more prep basketball preview stories.

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