Signing Day: Skyview duo among local athletes set to sign college letter of intent

— Paul Valencia

The plan is for Jocelyn Adams and Aubrey Ward-El to be seated next to each other at the table, 7 a.m. sharp Wednesday at Skyview High School.

It might be real early in the day, but they just do not want to wait any longer.

After all, this plan started taking shape when they were in elementary school.

Now seniors in high school, Adams and Ward-El are a day away Signing Day.

The National Letter of Intent early signing period for basketball players, as well as many other sports, is Wednesday. Adams will be taking her tall frame to Weber State in Ogden, Utah. Ward-El, a guard, is heading to the sun at the University of San Diego.

That is after they play one more season together as teammates at Skyview.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so excited,” Adams said of this week, and the next few months. “We’ve been dreaming about this since we were little, playing third-grade basketball together. It’s cool to see it finally happen.”

“It’s special,” Ward-El said. “We’ve been so close.”

Adams, Ward-El and senior Stephanie McDonagh were instrumental in Skyview’s state championship when they were sophomores. McDonagh hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the quarterfinals. Adams became a force on the inside during that playoff run. And Ward-El beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to win the championship game.

Adams suffered a torn ACL in her right knee in the summer prior to her junior year and did not play last year. The Storm finished a game away from advancing to the round of 16.

“Sitting out was really hard,” Adams said. “I knew I had to work hard to get back, but I also knew I needed recovery time.”

Now, it’s time for the Storm to get back to work, together.

(McDonagh, by the way, has not decided on a college yet, but is expected to play college basketball, too. “I know she is going to go somewhere she belongs,” Ward-El said.)

Adams said her knee is getting stronger every day. It was strong enough for her to play volleyball for the Storm this fall. As far as basketball, she has participated in open gyms. Practice starts next week.

“It’s great to know she’s out here,” Ward-El said, referring to seeing Adams at open gym. “It was fun, but it was nerve-racking, too. I don’t want her to hurt herself. But she doesn’t want people taking it easy on her.”

The two do not have to be nervous about college choices anymore.

The University of San Diego was the first college program to make contact with Ward-El. It was only a brochure for a camp, but it had value to Ward-El, who was a freshman at the time.

“It was something that stuck with me. They were the first ones who ever had interest in me,” Ward-El said. “They were the school that stayed the most consistent with me. They kept in touch. They weren’t dropping in and out. They always remembered who I was.”

Ward-El visited the campus and met with the players in September. One of the players is former Prairie standout Cori Woodward, now a freshman.

“I’m really thankful I know someone there,” Ward-El said. “I’ve looked up to her since I’ve played against her. I’ve always admired how she plays.”

Weber State made contact with Adams this summer. Adams said she felt an instant “family connection” to the coaches, players and campus.

“I didn’t know if I’d like a big-city kind of atmosphere. It’s more of a small-town kind of place,” Adams said. “The whole town is super supportive of the team.”

Adams told Weber State coaches of her decision a couple of weeks ago.

On Wednesday, she and other college-bound athletes can make it official.

“It’s such a stress reliever,” Adams said of having it out of the way before her senior season. “I’m so excited about just playing basketball.”