Morgan Mann signs with NAIA Embry-Riddle University
Humboldt High senior basketball standout Morgan Mann (front-center) last week signed a national letter of intent to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ, where she will play basketball for the Eagle women’s basketball team. Pictured above for her important signing date, in front, from left: coach Jason Hoag, Dave Mann, Morgan Mann, Michelle Mann and Humboldt head coach Rodd Mooney. Back row: Humboldt activities director Ryan O’Hern and coach Spencer Ross. Independent photo. To buy this photo and more from our gallery, visit our website at www.humboldtnews.com.
Morgan Mann, the leading scorer in Humboldt girls’ basketball history, will continue her career at the collegiate level after signing a national letter of intent to play for NAIA Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ.
Mann finalized her college choice in a brief signing ceremony at Humboldt High School last Friday, Nov. 8.
“It feels great to sign today. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to play basketball in college somewhere. I really didn’t know where. Seeing all those dreams come true is amazing. I can’t wrap my head around it right now,” Mann said.
Mann, who has earned all-state and all-conference honors in recent seasons, is fully recovered from knee surgery last March and is looking forward to leading the Wildcat girls’ basketball team, which began practice this week.
Last year Mann helped the Wildcats compile an overall record of 18-5. They advanced to a Class 4A regional final before bowing out. They finished 12-2 and second in the North Central Conference.
Mann averaged 20.1 points per game and also grabbed 6.8 rebounds, 3.34 steals and made 2.52 assists per game. She led Humboldt with 464 points and surpassed the career 1,000-point mark in late-January to become the school’s all-time leading scorer in five-player basketball.
“I’m going to major in forensic psychology to eventually become a crime scene investigator,” Mann said.
“They like to play fast. Up and down the court. I feel it’s a great way to play basketball,” Mann said.
“The coaches at Embry-Riddle, they like everyone to be able to play every spot on the court, so I could be a one, a five, a three…it doesn’t really matter,” Mann said.
Mann is fully recovered from a knee injury. Mann’s torn ACL knee injury occurred in Humboldt’s regional final game on Feb. 20 against Sioux Center in the Humboldt gym.
“It was a long recovery. At times it was really hard to do the physical therapy. But deep down I knew my end goal and I needed to get there. I needed to play this year because I love basketball so much and I love this team. I had to roll up my sleeves right away after it happened and do the work and get back out there,” Mann said.
“Some days it was tough mentally. For a while I had to be in a wheelchair and that really put a damper in me, but I stayed focused and got through it,” Mann said.
“Right after I got the diagnosis, I was focused on getting to work and begin my rehab. It was something I had to overcome,” Mann said.
“I’m excited about this season. We lost one senior starter last year in Reagan Lee, who was a big loss. But we return several girls with experience so I feel we will be pretty good again this season,” Mann said.
“To put on that jersey every day before a game is the biggest thing ever, really. Not a lot of people get to do that. I’m thankful that every day I get to put on that jersey and play the game I love,” Mann said.
