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You are here: Sports Features Rough Rock’s Lakota Curley to walk on at St. Augustine University in NC

Rough Rock’s Lakota Curley to walk on at St. Augustine University in NC

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RR’s 2015 season wasn’t great, but Curley caught attention of NC school’s scout

The decision to attend college is a timely one, especially if you’re going there to play sports. Most places prefer prospective student athletes to sign letters-of-intent. Rare is it for schools to hold a spot for someone who has missed a signing deadline or has had a delay in their decision.

That was the case with Rough Rock High School’s Lakota Curley who’ll go to St. Augustine University in Raleigh, NC, next year as a walk-on basketball player with the Lady Falcons. Curley also played volleyball as a student at Rough Rock.

“I didn’t sign a letter, but I am still going there and [will] try out as a walk on,” Curley said. “I have spoken to the coach at St. Augustine University and they are aware of what I can do on the court. I’m excited. I know I can play this game.”

Sharon Todacheenie, the first-year head girls basketball coach at Rough Rock High School, said Curley played shooting guard and forward for the Lady Sun Devils and averaged a little more than 16 points per game for an under-achieving team that finished last year with a 7-13, 3-7 overall record. The team had just three seniors and the entire year was a learning experience, Todacheenie said.

Rough Rock is a small school on the Navajo Nation, but it plays bigger schools like Chinle, Many Farms, and Monument Valley high schools at least twice per season. The girls basketball team typically does not win many games each year, and blow-out losses are not uncommon.

“We were a relatively young team last year,” Todacheenie said. “We will bring back experience, but lose a great player in Lakota. She will do well at the next level. She’s very aggressive and hard-working.”

Todacheenie called Curley a very good shooter. She said Curley was a team captain and possesses top leadership qualities.

“She was a very good player for us,” Todacheenie said.

Curley, 17, said she’d like to study sports management or nursing when she gets to St. Augustine University in August. She said she’s not sure whether she’ll try out for other sports.

Jarita Crump, head girls basketball coach at St. Augustine, did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

A National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II school, St. Augustine University competes in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.