Anchorage Daily News

During Jazzie Gaddy's first two seasons playing girls varsity basketball for the East Thunderbirds, her parents couldn't watch her shoot hoops.

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Jazzie Gaddy

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Sarah Hibbert

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Sylvia Bullock, left

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Now they'll be able to watch Gaddy this season and for four more as the T-birds' double-double maestro decided to stay close to home for college.

The 5-foot-11 center, who racked up double-doubles in 27 of 30 games last season, will sign a national letter of intent tonight at East to play basketball for UAA next season.

Wednesday was the first day of the week-long early signing period.

"(My parents) give me an extra push," she said. "I wanted to keep that support going."

Her parents lived in North Carolina her freshman and sophomore seasons, she said, taking care of her grandparents. Only by phone conversations were they able to keep tabs on how well their daughter played, while Gaddy lived here with her sister's family.

Gaddy visited New Mexico State, Seattle University and even UAF. She also thought about playing for Utah State.

But playing for the Seawolves, she said, just felt right.

"It's all about family," said Gaddy, who plans to study psychology. "And I love Alaska."

Her parents moved back to Anchorage in October 2006, and watched her earn first-team all-state as a center and play in the Class 4A state tournament last season.

"She's a monster," East coach Dorena Bingham said.

Living off Northern Lights, Gaddy's parents will be only a short drive away from watching her blossom with the help of UAA coach Tim Moser.

"He's excellent," Bingham said about the Seawolves' second-year coach. "I think she'll do well there."

NCAA rules prohibit Moser from commenting on Gaddy until she signs a letter of intent.

Bullock signs with University of Miami

Sylvia Bullock has already worked hard to make a name for herself at South. And she's done it without playing a single game for the Wolverines.

This morning the 6-foot-1 senior center, who transferred from Service to South near the end of last school year, will sign a national letter of intent to play for the University of Miami in Florida, said Wolverines coach Ryan Hales.

The second-year coach said he is eager for the ceremony in more ways than one.

"Anytime an Alaska player has the chance to play at a big-time school, it's exciting," Hales said. "She's looking forward to playing here too."

Open gym started recently for the Wolverines, and Bullock, regarded as one of the top Class 4A girls returning this season, has become a regular figure at South's gym.

"She's the first to arrive and the last to leave," Hales said. "It's good for the incoming freshman to see that she's helping us for the future."

BOYS BASKETBALL

Moll headed for Seattle Pacific

Regarded as one of Alaska's top basketball players at his position, Grace Christian center Kellan Moll decided to take his game to the Lower 48.

The Grizzlies' 6-foot-8 senior will sign a national letter of intent this morning at Grace to play next season for Seattle Pacific, a Division II program that competes against UAA in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Moll enters his fourth season as a varsity starter for the Grizzlies, who placed third in last year's Class 3A state tournament. Though his coach will be sad to see the gentle giant go, he's looking on the bright side.

"At least he's coming back to play every now and then," Grace coach Chuck Boerger said. "It's close to home."

Moll was recruited by Montana State, a D-I team in Bozeman, but Boerger said playing D-II offered a better chance to make an impact off the bat.

"It was a good fit," Boerger said. "He's got a lot of work to do, but he could play fairly regularly."

Boerger said Moll is the first boy from Grace to play college basketball since 2001 when Landon Libby played for Walla Walla College, now University, in Washington state.

VOLLEYBALL

Hibbert leaving South early, going to Utah

Sarah Hibbert capped her extraordinary high school career last weekend by helping South win volleyball's formidable triple crown.

But soon the 6-foot-1 senior will take on another challenge.

After she graduates early from South next month with a 4.5 GPA, Hibbert will begin college prematurely, practicing with the University of Utah in January and enrolling with a full load of classes, Wolverines coach Judy Knecht said.

On Wednesday, her top middle hitter signed a national letter of intent with the Division I Utes at South's team banquet.

"She's an exceptional student who's ready for the next step," Knecht said.

The Utes' spring training starts next semester, while the season begins in August.

"She won't be a wide-eyed freshman," Knecht said.

Hibbert committed to Utah, Knecht said, for three reasons.

She wanted to earn an engineering degree, play D-I volleyball and attend school near her family. Hibbert's relatives live in Utah, and her older brother attends Brigham Young University in Provo.

She helped lead South to its third straight Class 4A state championship and the triple crown. The Wolverines captured state, Cook Inlet Conference tournament, and regular-season titles this season.

Led by Hibbert, South won 62 of 66 matches over the last three years. In addition, she was named to the all- tournament team at state as a sophomore, junior and senior.

Find Kevin Klott online at adn.com/contact/kklott or call 257-4335.