Wyoming Basketball Teams Sign Fresh Faces

The University of Wyoming men's and women's basketball teams each announced the signing of two-student-athletes to attend UW beginning in the fall of 2013. Keonta Vernon of Tulare, Calif. and Alan Herndon of Colorado Springs, Colo. have signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Cowboys while Hailey Ligocki of Sheridan, Wyo. and Kaylie Rader of Thornton, Colo. signed to play for the Cowgirls.

Keonta Vernon - 6'6" Forward

Vernon is just 300 points shy of Tulare Union High School's all-time scoring mark of 1,475 points heading into his senior season. Under head coach Mark Hatton, Tulare Union has gone 79-13 since 2009-10 and finished as state runners-up in 2011-12. As a junior Vernon averaged 19.0 points, 14.3 rebounds, 4.6 blocks and 3.0 assists per game. He scored a season-high 29 points twice and notched more than 20 points in 18 games. He had one triple-double during the season with 18 points, 11 blocks and 20 rebounds, en route to earning First Team All-Conference honors. The past two summers Vernon's AAU team, California Double Pump Elite, has compiled a 44-2 record. On the football field, Vernon is a dynamic wide receiver. During his senior season, he caught 36 passes for 614 yards and 11 touchdowns in seven games.

What Coach Shyatt had to say:
“Keonta brings a level of intensity as an undersized forward that was eye opening all summer. Each time we saw him play, he competed so hard and his effort was so strong that he impacted the game with his effort alone. Not to speak of the future he may have in terms of his skill level. We have a lot of long, wiry young men in the program right now and to get somebody that is really a power player with great all-around athleticism is something you can’t pass on.”

See for yourself: Vernon wears #31 in the black/blue uniform.

Alan Herndon - 6'8" Forward

During his junior campaign at Widefield High School in 2011-12, Herndon averaged 9.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, as the Gladiators went 11-14 in Class 4A. He notched three double-doubles, including a season-high 14 points and 11 rebounds against Harrison and added 11 points and 12 rebounds against Falcon. In a game against Cheyenne Mountain, he had 14 blocked shots. Herndon earned Honorable Mention All-Metro honors from the Colorado Springs Gazette and was Honorable Mention Academic All-State. Herndon's father Mike was a standout for VMI from 1982-85. He is still fourth in school history with 103 blocks and ninth in field goal percentage at 51.6 percent.

What Coach Shyatt had to say:
“Alan is a lean young man that I call a piece of spaghetti right now, but he is going to be a very good pasta. He has got great skills on the court and comes from a great basketball family background. He’s got all the intangibles you look for, except Mother Nature has not taken her course yet physically so he is thin. He’s got great hands, great instincts and he is also from an excellent family with a sound academic background. He’s got the total package and will become a valuable asset these next four years.”

Hailey Ligocki - 5'8" Guard

A three-time All-Conference selection while attending Sheridan High School. During her junior year, she was named First Team All-State and was the 4A East Conference Co-Player of the Year. Ligocki also averaged 14 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. She helped lead her team to a 20-7 record in 2012 and the consolation title at the Wyoming State Championship. As a sophomore, her team went 22-5 overall and was the State Runner-Up. A three-time letterwinner in basketball, she was coached by Sean Yeager. Beside basketball, she also lettered in tennis and soccer. She was a three-time All-State and All-Conference selection in tennis. She took home five individual titles at the State Tournament during her career. An excellent student, she is a member of the National Honor Society, an Academic All-Conference selection and on the honor roll for the past four years. Ligocki is the daughter of Larry and Kim Ligocki. She has two siblings, Molly and Katie.

What Coach Legerski had to say:
“Hailey is a tremendous competitor. She will be able to play at either guard spot.”

See for yourself: Ligocki wears #33 in the gold uniform.

Kaylie Rader - 6'4" Center

A three year letterwinner in basketball while attending Horizon High School. As a junior, she was an All-Conference, All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State selection. She averaged 15.2 points and 10.1 rebounds, while helping her team to a 17-8 overall record and a 11-5 Front Range Conference mark last season. The team reached the third round of the Colorado 5A State Championship before falling to Palmer, 58-57.  During her career, she also was Honorable Mention All-Conference as a freshman.  She was coached in high school by Greg Hahn. An excellent student, she has been on the honor roll. The daughter of Joe and Traci Rader, she has one sister Alyssa.

What Coach Legerski had to say:
“Kaylie will add depth on the inside and has a great mindset to excel in the post.”

See for yourself: Rader wears #33 in the white/black/red uniform.