Moses Lake's Jamie Loera gives verbal commitment to Arizona State
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Moses Lake senior guard Jamie Loera (left) drives to the basket against Glacier Peak during the Class 4A state semifinals at the Tacoma Dome. Loera gave a verbal commitment to Arizona State University on Monday.
MOSES LAKE — On the basketball court, Jamie Loera can get hot in a hurry.
So it makes sense Moses Lake's senior guard would be drawn to the desert. Loera gave a verbal commitment to Arizona State University on Monday, following her big sisters Jordan and Jamie to Division I college basketball.
“I've always really liked ASU,” Jamie Loera said. “And when I was down there I sort of had a feeling where that was where I was meant to be. So I took the chance and couldn't be happier.”
Jamie will be the second Loera sister to play in the Pac-12. Eldest sister Jordan finished up her career at the University of Oregon in 2016. Jessie Loera just wrapped up her freshman year at Gonzaga University.
Jamie Loera chose ASU over Washington, Washington State, Gonzaga and Santa Clara.
Jamie and Jessie played two seasons together at Moses Lake High School, leading the Chiefs to an undefeated regular season and fourth-place finish at the Class 4A state tournament in 2016.
“They (my sisters) were definitely a huge part to helping me become the player I am today,” Loera said. “I saw what they went through with training and recruiting and to be able to reach this point like them is a great feeling.”
As a junior, Jamie Loera averaged 17.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game. She was the Columbia Basin Big Nine co-Player of the Year and Associated Press Class 4A All-State honorable mention.
With her college decision out of the way, Jamie Loera is looking forward to leading Moses Lake back to the Tacoma Dome.
“Knowing what my future holds is such a relaxer,” she said. “I know that I'll be able to just finish strong my senior year.”
The Sun Devils finished last season 20-13 overall and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual champion South Carolina.
“I feel so grateful to join such a successful team,” Jamie Loera said. “I hope to contribute to that success once I get there.”
Moses Lake girls basketball has solid summer
Moses Lake took its first steps toward returning to the state tournament, finishing 25-6 during summer ball.
The Chiefs never lost more than two games at a single camp or tournament.
“Our rebounding numbers were down this summer, as well as some other defensive numbers, so we need to refocus our defense when the season starts,” head coach Matt Strophy said. “Our defense has been our trademark over the past number of years, but we had some issues throughout the summer that need to be fixed if we want to compete with the other elite programs in the state.”
The Chiefs' summer was pockmarked with losses to Columbia Basin Big Nine rival Sunnyside, perennial state contender Central Valley and Class 1A standout Lynden Christian.
Jamie Loera and Abby Rathbun led Moses Lake offensively averaging 14 and 11 points, respectively.
“Seven different girls scored in double figures with two more scoring nine, so we definitely have some scoring options heading into next year,” Strophy said.
The main issue Moses Lake faced was continuity.
For the first time in his 15 summer seasons, Strophy did not have his projected eight to 10 best players in uniform at the same time. The Chiefs had 15 different players put on a varsity roster this summer.