News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Kendra Cole signs her letter of intent to continue her basketball career at Algoma University. Cole played two years for ACC and will spend the next two years as a Thunderbird. Pictured left to right are: front: Kendra Cole, Algoma head coach Ryan Vetrie; back: Brad Cole and Lucy Cole.

Kendra Cole was a staple on the Alpena Community College women’s basketball teams over the past two seasons.

On Wednesday, Cole signed her Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career with Algoma University.

“It’s really exciting. I didn’t necessarily think I was even going to play basketball beyond high school, but I got the opportunity at ACC and to now have another opportunity is very exciting and I’m looking forward to this new adventure,” Cole said.

Cole’s all around game was a big part of her success during her time as a Lumberjack as she used her size and versatility to create mismatches and surprise opposing defenders.

As a forward, Cole was a force in the paint, but could also take the ball up the court and occasionally spot up and hit long range shots. It was that kind of versatility that helped Cole lead ACC in points (16.1) and rebounds (9.3) per game during the last season.

“During my first year at ACC I was just getting used to the atmosphere and then my second year I really felt I stepped up to where I thought I should be and I was very pleased with how I played,” Cole said. “Playing two years at ACC definitely showed me the differences of the college game. It’s a lot faster and people are a lot stronger. I had a few adjustments I needed to make and I’m sure I will have more adjustments to make going forward.”

During her first season with the Lumberjacks, Cole also led the team in rebounds (9.7) per game and was second on her team in points per game (13.2). She finished second in scoring, behind her sister, Karina, who she will team up with again.

Karina signed with Algoma last year and put together a solid first season with the Thunderbirds as she was among the leaders on the team in scoring, finishing second as she averaged 8.5 points per game.

“We have a different connection that I don’t have with anyone else so we can play really well together and I think it will be good to know someone and how to play with somebody,” Cole said. “I think it will make it easier to adapt to playing together with everyone else.”

Kendra Cole’s all around game caught the eye of a familiar face as Algoma head coach Ryan Vetrie watched Kendra play when he was recruiting Karina and saw her in action again this season and knew having another Cole would be a huge addition to his growing program.

“For our program moving forward, coming here last year and getting Karina was a big step up for us and now getting Kendra coming from the same program is really going to help us,” Vetrie said. “We’re hoping with Kendra coming in, she is going to help us make that next push. She can shoot it, she has the skill as a big to put it on the ground and with our offense and what we want to do, she is going to be a centerpiece in how we’re running our stuff.”

Algoma finished 4-16 last season and was a few games short of missing the postseason. With the addition of Kendra Cole, Vetrie believes she could help the team take that next step and help the Thunderbirds reach the playoffs.

“It’s awesome coming down here and picking up some Americans because we haven’t had a lot. Karina was our first and she kind of got the ball moving, because we see a lot of Canadian teams grabbing American players,” Vetrie said. “Kendra is now the second and it’s great for our program to pick up another important piece from ACC.”

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.