Faafiti To Attend College For Hearing-Impaired

2008-09 All-State First Team forward Easter Faafiti plans to accept a scholarship to play basketball for Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.Faafiti was a key contributor during the Lancers' run at the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Final Eight Tournament. For the first time in six consecutive trips to the tournament, the Lancers won the state championship.

Gaulladet offers advanced education for the deaf and hard-of-hearing and is the only university whose programs and services are particularly accommodating to the hearing-impaired.

"Easter will bring a passion to our program. She's a committed athlete and plays hard every minute on the court," said Gallaudet Head Coach Kevin Cook. "Coming in as a junior I am projecting her to be one of our leaders."

The Bison were 6-19 this season in the Capital Athletic Conference. It is a NCAA Division III program.

Faafiti has 70 percent hearing-loss and is a noted partially-deaf athlete in California. USA Deaf Sports Federation Executive Board approved her representing the United States in the 21st Summer Deaflympics in Taipei, Taiwan in September.

"I expect Easter to be an important impact player for Gallaudet," said PCC women's basketball Head Coach Joe Peron. "I'm happy for her. She is going to be in an environment that she is really comfortable in."

A two-time All-State selection, Faafiti was a major presence on the inside, snatching 250 offensive rebounds and 350 defensive rebounds in her well-known junior college career.

She also racked up 1022 career points in an offense where she wasn't the main weapon.

Faafiti must prepare to emulate a scorer's mentality at Gallaudet. Cook has expressed an offensive-minded role that he needs Faafiti to assume.

"I think she is going to be fine taking on a scorer's mentality. I'm looking for her to post-up and strive in that role," said Cook.

On playing with fellow hearing-impaired athletes, Faafiti expressed great comfort in playing for Gallaudet.

"Basically I want to go and get better. Work on my outside shot, left-hand dribble and post-play," said Easter.

Faafiti is one of the four members of the state champion PCC women's basketball team preparing to transfer to upper division schools next semester.

All-South Coast Conference guard Melia Basavand is deciding between Southern University in Louisiana, Cal Poly Pomona and University of Albany according to Peron.

All-State Second Team guard and MVP of the CCCAA Final Eight Tourney, Kinyada Johnson has yet to make a decision about her future but has considered Southern University as well according to Peron.

Sophomore forward Allegra Kohley is receiving consideration from a school in South Dakota.