JAMESTOWN – Another milestone came in the brilliant career of Jamestown Community College women’s basketball player Hannah Hicks (Cleveland, OH/Cleveland Heights), as she has signed with NCAA Division I Morehead State University to continue her academic and athletic careers.

“God always comes through on time,” said Hicks when she received the phone call from MSU head coach Cayla Petree with the offer. “I can’t do anything but thank him (god). It’s funny how coach Petree found me. She looked up the top rebounder in the country in NJCAA Division II and my name was at the top. After that, everything fell into place.”

Saying that Hicks was the top rebounder this past season does even begin to scratch the surface of her dominance on the glass throughout her time here at JCC. During her 64 games played in the green and gold, Hicks collected 1,041 career rebounds, which stands at the top of the category since electronic stats were recorded back in the 2002-03 season. Hicks also stands atop the most rebounds in a season, grabbing 436 during the 2021-22 campaign.

“Super excited to add Hannah to the roster,” MSU head coach Cayla Petree said. “Her ability to rebound the basketball should immediately impact our team. She brings high energy and a willingness to do the dirty work that I absolutely love.”

Throughout the past two seasons, Hicks led the country in rebounds per game, averaging 15.6 rebounds per game in the 2021-22 season and 16.5 rebounds per game this past season. During her first season, Hicks averaged 17.5 rebounds per game which was good for second in the country. Hicks had a game-high 30 rebounds against Butler Community College back in the 2021-22 season, which is also an individual game record within the program.

Not only was Hicks dominant on the glass, she was also a force in the paint, rejecting many of the opposing team’s shots. Throughout her career, Hicks blocked a total of 196 shots, standing atop the category as well. Hicks also holds the record for most blocks in a season, tallying 82 during the 2021-22 season.

To round out the talented Hicks, she scored a career 861 points, an average of 13.5 points per game.

In all, Hicks recorded 49 double-doubles to go along with one triple-double.

Hicks’ play on the court was well recognized on the regional and national stage as she was a five-time NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Week, three-time NJCAA Region 3 First Team All-Region, and two-time NJCAA Region 3 All-Tournament Team selection. Hicks was also named the NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Year and a NJCAA Third Team All-American during the 2021-22 season.

“I am absolutely thrilled for Hannah,” said JCC women’s basketball head coach Dave Turnbull. “If I played even the tiniest part helping her get to where she has gotten, I’m proud of that. This is all Hannah’s effort, her work ethic. When coaches inquired about her, I told them that she’s a great player but an even better person. She is the epitome of what it is to be a Jayhawk and she will be dearly missed. Not so much her 17 rebounds a game but the conversations we’d have on trips. I wish absolutely nothing but the best.”

Hicks joins an Eagles team that went 11-20 overall and 6-12 in the Ohio Valley Conference this past season. MSU captured their first win since the 2018-19 season in the OVC Tournament, knocking off No. 5 UT Martin in a 70-68 win.

“Once I stepped foot onto the campus, it was very welcoming,” when asked why MSU was the place for her to move onto. “It felt like a big family and that is one thing that is in the locker room was in big letters was “FAMILY”, so I knew it was the right fit.”

Hicks will always remember her time at JCC, especially the community members along with the faculty and staff at the institution.

“I loved the community here,” Hicks said. “Especially the professors and staff here. They are very helpful and very supportive. There was one professor my freshman year that saved all the news articles on me in The Post-Journal and she gave them to me at the end of the year to remind me of all of my accomplishments. Just thankful for everyone that has supported me.”

Last thing that Hicks wanted to say to anyone looking to take the junior college route, coaches will find you no matter what.

“Coaches will find you. They will find you anywhere and everywhere. I know it is very humbling to take the junior college route. It’s a blessing in disguise and you will get the exposure to help get you to where you want to go.”