Hannah Richards, 18, has opted to play college basketball for Austin College in Texas following graduation from Pace High School.
“They have a great basketball team for the division,” Richards said. “They seem really team oriented and positive, which I am really interested in.”
Although Richards is not exactly sure of how she will fit in to the team in her first year, PHS Girls Basketball Coach Greg Gill believes Richards will be an asset for the team.
“Hannah is going to bring a great work ethic, she is going to bring a great attitude and a great skills set,” Gill said. “She know how to put the ball in the hole. She is going to be all around tremendous player for them.”
During her four-year tenure at Pace, Gill said Richards provided a leadership role on the team.
“She has been a leader for us,” Gill said. “She has been a source of positive energy and great attitude that the other girls can emulate and look up to.”
While Hannah is looking forward to playing for her new team, athletics was only part of what helped her make the decision to play for Austin College.
“The academics is what really turned me onto this school…on top of that they have great internships and study abroad programs,” Richards said. She is currently planning to pursue a degree in the medical field, while attending the college.
Although her collegiate career will take her to Texas, Richards said she will always remember what she learned from playing basketball at Pace.
“No one owes you anything, you always have to work for everything you get,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace High School: Richards opts to play basketball for Austin College