Last week was a big week for Eva Yeadon and the MSU-Northern Skylights. Although Eva had other opportunities, she chose to sign a letter of intent to play for Northern.
The press release from MSU-Northern Sports Information: "Montana State University-Northern women's basketball coach Chris Mouat has announced the signing of Eva Yeadon to join the program next fall. Yeadon, a 5'8" guard from Big Sandy, helped lead the Pioneers to their first state tournament appearance since 2009 last season. Their run to the state tournament included a second-place finish at the Divisional Tournament after playing six games. They finished with an overall record of 23-7."
"Mouat said, 'We are thrilled to have Eva on board. She is a very athletic player who brings a lot to the table, and she had an incredibly successful high school career. She scores, rebounds, and does a lot of little things right. She is also a great and unselfish teammate. She is a great person and outstanding student who will be an excellent addition to our university and basketball program.'
"Yeadon was a First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State selection in 2024. She was a First Team All-Conference pick in 2023."
"For her career, Yeadon has scored 1287 total points. She has also connected on 72 three-point field goals and grabbed 618 rebounds. Last season, she averaged 20.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game."
"Mouat added, 'Eva had a great visit here and fit right in with our players. She has an incredible work ethic, is very driven and goal-oriented, and she simply loves the game. We are looking forward to following her senior season and her future in a Skylight uniform.' "
"Yeadon also excels on the volleyball court where she has earned First Team All-Conference (2022 and 2023) and First Team All-State honors. She also took home sixth place honors in the high jump as a freshman."'
Eva is the daughter of Ella and Joe Jurenka, and Dean Yeadon. She plans on majoring in Integrated Health Science at MSU-Northern.
Eva said, "I just have a great feeling from Chris and the team. I didn't get that feeling from any other places. I didn't feel the need that I was wanted. And that's important. People might think low of it, but ultimately, they have a great program, and I love the girls,
Dean Yeadon said, "I'm super proud of my daughter, and the best thing about her is that she's a better person. She can do whatever she wants in this life. She works hard, she's got a good head on her shoulders, and she's an even better person. So, I'm super proud to be your dad."
At the signing, I interviewed coach Chris Mouat. "We're really excited. She's a good one." He has coached at Northern for 20 years. "I've been really blessed to have a lot of good kids. But she's the first Big Sandy kid since Lacey Keller, who played for me; there's a heck of a pipeline here, and going back to coach Lackner's days and now into today with these players getting back to the state tournament last year. And it's an exciting time, and to get one of the best players in Montana, we're super excited."
"We've got a great fan base as it is. But when you sign somebody like Eva, who is local and a high-line kid, everybody knows her and lots of family. It's gonna be fun. It will be fun to watch her grow in our program."
Where and when she plays depends on where she fits, on her numbers. "She is the first of our recruiting class. I think she's good enough to come in and play. I think she could play on our team right now. I really think she's that good." It depends on how hard everyone works. "The sky's the limit for her. So we're just really excited."
"I'm very excited for her to think she's an incredible athlete, not just that, just an incredible person, and a good student. To me, she's exactly what we want. She is a good student, a good person, and active in the community, but she is a great athlete and leader, the whole thing; she has the whole package. And so yeah, we're really lucky and really excited because we knew there was a lot of competition for her. Everybody wanted her. Everybody wanted her as they should, so I have her coming our way. We couldn't be more excited."
Coach Mouat went on to say, "There was a lot of really good kids here, and to have them back now in that state mix. I feel it in the town. It's just what people want here and what they get used to. This is pretty neat. Travis has done a great job here, too. He's worked real hard."
Eva's mother, Ella Jurenka, said, "Today was a special day, and we are so proud of Eva and her accomplishments."
"It takes a lot of hard work, time, and dedication to get to sit behind one of those college signing tables. After several visits and multiple offers, Coach Mouat was without question the difference. He absolutely won over Eva's heart."
"As her parents, we are incredibly thankful she found a coach and a school that made her decision feel so right."
"We would like to thank the Big Sandy High School and the community for their unwavering support. Coach Travis and the Lady Pioneers, both past and present, thank you for playing such a special role in her journey. We are so grateful."
Coach Travis Baumann wrote, "I couldn't be more proud of Eva Yeadon, as good of a basketball player she is, she is an even better person. She exemplifies what it means to be a Lady Pioneer! It has been an honor to coach her and I am so excited for her Senior year with her teammates. The Skylights are getting a winner, hard worker, and exceptional teammate. She can score from the outside, inside, drive to the bucket with the ability to finish. She has lead her team in scoring and rebounding the last three years. She has averaged 18.1 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game over her career. She is in the top 3 of every statistical category. She has been a three year starter for the Lady Pioneers and a leader over that span."
"The day of her signing her teammates, coaches and family were at the gym with her to celebrate her success, it was an amazing day. I am very excited to see what she is able to accomplish as a Skylight."
