West Hills Soccer and Softball Players Ink Scholarships

Wednesday was the first day of the early signing period for prep athletes in boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls volleyball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls swimming, wrestling and golf.

Included were a pair of students, soccer player Courtney Melanson and softball pitcher/infielder Noelle Johnson. Melanson will continue her career at Midland University in Nebraska, while Johnson will play at Utah State.

A highlight of the signing, Shay Young, will take her basketball talents to New Mexico State University. The Mount Miguel High guard, who will start her senior season for the Matadors in a few weeks, made her announcement Wednesday morning along with scores of other county athletes at a signing-day press conference at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park.

Young, a 6-footer who averaged more than 15 points and nearly nine rebounds in her junior campaign, chose New Mexico State over the University of San Francisco, Santa Clara and Utah State.

“It was a good fit for me,” Young told eastcountysports.com. “The players, coaches and the general feel of the school are great. There is a lot of spirit on that campus.”

Aggies women's basketball coach Mark Trakh is glad Young will be heading to Las Cruces.

"Shay is a big, strong player who can also play at small forward," said Trakh. "She has a 15-foot range. She is a great rebounder and can get to the basket very well."