Dave Stricklin and the Umpqua Community College women’s basketball team have done a great job of utilizing the outstanding talent in their own backyard. Coach Stricklin hopes he’s found the next local star to lead his team in Sutherlin’s Kiersten Haines.

Haines signed with the RiverHawks on Friday to follow in the footsteps of names like Jordan Stotler, Taylor Stricklin and Darian Mitchell. She joins a UCC team that went undefeated last year and was among the short list of favorites to win the NWAC title before the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Haines started as a freshman for Sutherlin and spent three seasons playing for the Bulldogs, missing her junior year due to injury. She averaged 13 points and 2 steals a game during her senior season for the Bulldogs. She led the team in 3-point shooting at 40% and set a school single-game scoring record with 40 points on 11 3-pointers against St. Mary’s.