Weinreich Scores Division I Scholarship to Southern Utah

Emma Weinreich has confirmed the ascendance of the Allan Hancock College women's basketball program by accepting a scholarship to play Division I ball. The sophomore forward signed a National Letter of Intent to receive a full scholarship to Southern Utah University, which is located in Cedar City, Utah and competes in the Big Sky Conference. Weinreich is Hancock's first women's basketball player in recent memory to receive a full-ride to a Division I program.

"Our coaching staff is both proud and elated about the opportunity that Emma has to play at Southern Utah," said Hancock head coach Cary Nerelli. "Emma's hard work on the court and in the classroom have earned her a full scholarship to an outstanding Division I program."

Weinreich averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game her sophomore season at Allan Hancock College. The 6-foot-1 forward was instrumental in leading the Bulldogs to their finest season in 11 years. Weinreich scored a season-high 21 points against Reedley College and recorded two double-doubles.

Nerelli said Weinreich's signing was a significant milestone for the program.

"Emma is blazing a trail for future Lady Bulldogs," said Nerelli. "This reinforces to local athletes that Hancock is an institution that can help them achieve their goals. The school motto is true, you can start here and go anywhere."

The Arroyo Grande High School graduate joins a Southern Utah team that is coming off its most successful season in school history that included the program's first national postseason tournament appearance. The Thunderbirds advanced to the second round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament and finished with an overall record of 23-10, which was five wins better than the program's previous record for most victories in a single season. SUU shared the Big Sky regular season title last season with North Dakota.

She graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in 2012. During her senior season, she earned All-C.I.F. and All-League honors after she helped the girl's basketball team win its first C.I.F. championship in program history. She averaged 11 points, six rebounds and nearly two steals per game for the Eagles.