BY FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State head women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson signed four future Tigers on Early Signing Day (Nov. 11). Kate Dilsaver, Megan Earney, Grace Eck and Maddie Portwine make up the incoming class of 2021 for Hobson and the women’s basketball team.
“This is another outstanding recruiting class for our program,” said Hobson. “They are an athletic bunch and are all accomplished players. They are equally successful in the classroom, receiving numerous academic awards throughout their high school tenure. Each player had numerous offers and we are excited that they have made the choice to become a Tiger.”
|
Kate Dilsaver Height: 5-10 Position: Guard High School: Lincoln Southwest High School Hometown: Lincoln, Neb. |
Kate Dilsaver signs with the Tigers after a breakout season at Lincoln Southwest
High School. The guard earned second team all-city honors from the Lincoln Journal Star after
averaging 13 points, four rebounds, 2.4 steals and two assists per game as a
junior. The Lincoln, Neb. native added all-conference honors and has helped the
Silver Hawks to the Nebraska Class A State Championship Tournament each of the
last three years. The Silver Hawks were runners-up in 2019 in addition to
reaching the semifinals in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2020.
Dilsaver will serve as a team captain during her upcoming senior season. She
also excels in track, winning the 100m dash and the 200m dash at the 2019 Class
A State Meet as a sophomore. Dilsaver also earned high marks in the classroom,
picking Academic All-State honors.
Why did you choose to attend
Fort Hays State?
“I chose FHSU because the women’s basketball program has a tradition of
success created by the coaches, players and Hays community.”
|
Megan Earney Height: 5-10 Position: Guard High School: Waukee High School Hometown: Clive, Iowa |
Megan Earney brings plenty of postseason experience with her from Waukee High
School. The Clive, Iowa native has helped the Warriors to the Iowa Class 5A
State Championship Tournament each of the last three years, culminating in a
runner-up finish in 2020. She is a three-time varsity letterwinner at Waukee,
helping her team to a conference championship in 2019. Earney helped Waukee set
the Iowa State Tournament single-game record with 15 made 3-pointers as a team
in the 2020 state semifinals.
As a junior, Earney knocked down 44.4 percent of her shots from behind the arc
and over 54 percent overall while grabbing four rebounds per contest. She was
one of two Warriors to reach triple digits in points (203) and rebounds (104)
during the 2019-20 season. Earney has also excelled in the classroom, earning a
trio of academic letters.
Why did you choose to
attend Fort Hays State?
“As soon as I stepped on campus it truly felt like home and I knew I could
see myself in this environment. The coaching staff was very welcoming and I had
an instant connection with them. There is a really special bond between the
university and the town, and I am very excited to be able to call Hays my home
for the next four years!”
|
Grace Eck Height: 5-5 Position: Guard High School: Ellis High School Hometown: Ellis, Kan. |
Grace Eck signs with the Tigers from neighboring Ellis, Kan. The guard has had
an outstanding career at Ellis High School, eclipsing the 1,000-point plateau
in just three seasons. She averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and
1.6 assists per game as a junior while serving as a team captain.
Eck was a Sports in Kansas
Class 2A second team All-State selection in 2020. She has earned a pair of
first team all-league honors in the Mid-Continent League in addition to three
appearances on the Hays Daily
News All-Area team.
Grace’s father, Mark Eck, was a member of the 1996 undefeated NCAA Division II
National Champion men’s basketball team.
Why did you choose to
attend Fort Hays State?
“I chose Fort Hays because they have a very successful program and the
coaches and team made me feel welcome. Overall it felt like the perfect fit for
me.”
|
Maddie Portwine Height: 5-11 Position: Guard High School: York High School Hometown: York, Neb. |
Maddie Portwine joins Dilsaver and a trio of current Tigers from the Cornhusker
State after numerous All-State selections at York (Neb.) High School. The guard
averaged 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.7 assists per game as a
junior, helping her earn second team All-State honors from the Omaha World Herald and the
Lincoln Journal Star.
Portwine also earned first team all-conference honors in the Central Conference
while serving as a team captain.
Portwine is a three-sport standout for the Dukes, also excelling in volleyball
and track and field. As a sophomore, Portwine placed second in the 1600m at the
2019 Nebraska Class B Track and Field Championships in addition to a
fourth-place finish in the 3200m run. She was an all-area first team Academic
All-State selection in all three sports by the York News Times.
Why did you choose to
attend Fort Hays State?
“I chose Fort Hays because of the winning program, positive culture and
great atmosphere.”