A pair of Durant senior basketballers recently signed scholarship offers to continue their careers at four-year colleges in Oklahoma.
Lady Lion Abrianna Freeman inked with Northwestern Oklahoma State University while the Lions’ Leon Stone signed on with Southwestern Christian University in Bethany.
Freeman will look to join a Lady Ranger program that finished 22-10 as Great American Conference tournament champions and reached the NCAA Division II Central Regional.
She was the inside force over the past couple of seasons that helped the Lady Lions return to the Class 5A state tournament for the first time in 16 years during her junior campaign with 37 total wins in those two years.
Freeman was the team’s third leading scorer with several games in double figures while posting 8.3 points per game as well as 6.8 rebounds.
“The dream to play in college definitely wasn’t easy,” Freeman said. “There were a lot of nights having to stay up practicing but it’s all starting to pay off. We had a lot of ups and downs over the past couple of years here but got through all the hard stuff. I’m definitely going to miss everyone here.
“I really loved it on my visit. It’s a really tight community like it was here and the coach loved how I could play with my back to the basket or go outside as well to contribute.”
She plans to major in Physical Therapy.
Stone will join an Eagles program at Southwestern Christian that will be looking to refurbish its offensive attack after posting a 7-18 record in the rugged Sooner Athletic Conference this past season.
In his senior campaign at Durant, the versatile guard averaged 6.5 points a contest and shot 25 percent on three pointers.
“I didn’t know if I would get this point and the chance to play at the next level, but it worked out,” Stone commented. “I really appreciate all my teammates and coaches. Coach (Aaron) George was a good mentor for me. He taught me a lot and molded me into the man I am today.
“I liked everything about Southwestern Christian when I visited. They have a small campus, and I think I will fit in well.”
While Stone is undecided on a major field he will begin work in general studies next year.
