High school basketball season is almost here for teams across the country, and hundreds of players are choosing where they are going to play collegiately.

Williams Field’s Lacee Jenkins signed her letter of intent to Southern Utah University on Wednesday night.

Surrounded by her friends, family, teammates and coaches, Jenkins took part in a ceremony to celebrate her accomplishments as a Black Hawk.

“It’s great because she’s worked so hard for this and has wanted this since she was really tiny,” Jennette Jenkins, Lacee’s mother, said.

Competitive basketball has been a major part of Jenkins’ life since fifth grade, so the ceremony was a special moment for her.

“It’s overwhelming that it’s been so long since I started playing basketball and picturing this day and playing college basketball, and now it’s finally here,” Jenkins said. “It’s overwhelming to have all the support, for sure.”

A lot of work has gone into Jenkins’ basketball career and getting her to a place where she could fulfill her dream of playing at the next level.

Williams Field’s varsity coach, Taura Gardner, who has coached Jenkins since her freshman year, has been a big influence for Jenkins over the past four years.

“I put a lot of pressure on Lacee for a long time because I saw the potential,” Gardner said. “She (has exemplified) everything this program stands for since day one.”

The expectations and pressure Gardner set from the beginning have only benefitted Jenkins and led to her evolving into the face of the Williams Field girls basketball program.

“She has been the epitome of a student-athlete in every sense of the word,” Gardner said. “I knew I could always put her at the forefront of our program. She understood where I was coming from as far as what I want to promote. I want to see strong females meeting their dreams. Whatever it’s going to take, she’s always puts in extra work.”

Gardner believes Jenkins’ work ethic and skill sets will translate nicely to the next level at Southern Utah, as well.

“The fact that she has completely dedicated herself to this program speaks volumes,” Gardner said. “She doesn’t make excuses. Unless she’s missing a limb, she’s going to be at practice. Her commitment level has never been questioned.”

Williams Field’s girls basketball team has not had much playoff success while Jenkins has been on the team (only one appearance which resulted in a first-round elimination during her freshman season), so this upcoming season is important for Jenkins to leave the team on a high note.

“I’m really hoping to make a playoff push and make an impact on this team,” Jenkins said. “We may not be the most-talented or have the most Division I players, but I just want to do the best we can as a team and leave a legacy.”

As far as her collegiate career is concerned, Jenkins and her parents are excited about the new opportunities SUU will present them.

“This (ceremony) is kind of the icing on the top because she gets to continue on,” Chet Jenkins, Lacee’s father, said. “(SUU has) a great coach and great program up there. It’s fairly close by, so we’ll get to see a lot of games.”

Jenkins holds the same sentiment.

“I love the school and everything about it,” Jenkins said. “The coaching staff is awesome. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them. I love the location. It’s a beautiful city, Cedar City (Utah).”

Southern Utah also complies with one of the most important aspects of Jenkins’ life outside of school and basketball: her religious obligations.

“One major factor is that I plan to go on a mission for my church after I graduate, and they’re compatible with that,” Jenkins said. “You don’t find many schools that are willing to hold up scholarship (for something like that).”