Rachel Howard led the Yellowjackets to three consecutive appearances in the CIF state finals.
Rachel Howard Chooses USF Women's Basketball
4/17/2013 10:11:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SAN FRANCISCO – Rachel Howard, highly touted and heavily recruited prep from Berkeley High School, has announced her decision to join the San Francisco women's basketball team.
Howard powered the Yellowjackets to a successful postseason and a 22-12 overall record a senior. She posted double-digit scoring efforts in each of team's NorCal games en route to the CIF Division I championship game against Long Beach Poly, leading the way for the team.
“This is a great day for our program at USF!” head coach Jennifer Azzi said. “I am so excited that Rachel Howard has chosen to spend her college career with us. Rachel is a winner in every way – in the classroom and on the court.”
In the NorCal quarterfinals, Howard posted a double-double against McClymonds. She went on to lead the way with 27 points against Gunn-Palo Alto in the semifinals, scoring more than half of Berkeley's points in the 54-46 win. In the NorCal finals, Howard added a team-high 23 points and nine rebounds to defeat Oak Ridge and advance to the state championships.
Her prep career was marked with milestones and awards, as her squad finished with three consecutive NorCal championships that culminated with a trip to the CIF state finals in each of the past three seasons. The stalwart program of Berkeley High has finished as CIF state runner up in six of the last eight years. Since 1997, the Yellowjackets have won 10 NorCal Division I championships, and are in the midst of a three-year winning streak.
“From powerhouse Berkeley High, Rachel knows how to win at the highest level,” Azzi said. “As a three-time NorCal champion, Rachel understands what is takes to be the best. Her skill level is outstanding and she has a rare 'feel' for the game and an understanding beyond her years.”
Howard earned first team all-metro, first team all-league and team most valuable player after her senior campaign on the court. Rated as the 11th-best girls basketball prospect by NorCalPreps.com, she is 79th in the country at her position, according to ESPN. Also a stellar student, she was named a scholar athlete for her work in the classroom as a junior and was a part of the CIF NCS scholastic championship team.
Howard's athleticism and drive for competition can be seen in the multitude of sports in her repertoire that includes, track, soccer, swimming, water polo and ultimate Frisbee to go along with basketball.
“She is one of the best shooters I have seen and her potential is unlimited. But what has impressed me most is her leadership,” Azzi said. “She gives so much to her teammates and is constantly communicating and working to make others better. There is so much talent in our backyard and I am thrilled to have three of the top players in the Bay Area joining us next fall.”
USF rounds out its incoming class that can boast three top 15 players in Northern California, according to NorCalPreps.com. Howard joins Archbishop Mitty's Kalyn Simon (San Jose, Calif.) and Hashima Carothers from Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto, Calif.). The Dons also welcome Mesquite, Texas, standout and McDonalds All-America nominee Claudia Price to the Hilltop to complete the incoming class for 2013-14.
Howard powered the Yellowjackets to a successful postseason and a 22-12 overall record a senior. She posted double-digit scoring efforts in each of team's NorCal games en route to the CIF Division I championship game against Long Beach Poly, leading the way for the team.
“This is a great day for our program at USF!” head coach Jennifer Azzi said. “I am so excited that Rachel Howard has chosen to spend her college career with us. Rachel is a winner in every way – in the classroom and on the court.”
“From powerhouse Berkeley High, Rachel knows how to win at the highest level,” Azzi said. “As a three-time NorCal champion, Rachel understands what is takes to be the best. Her skill level is outstanding and she has a rare 'feel' for the game and an understanding beyond her years.”
Howard earned first team all-metro, first team all-league and team most valuable player after her senior campaign on the court. Rated as the 11th-best girls basketball prospect by NorCalPreps.com, she is 79th in the country at her position, according to ESPN. Also a stellar student, she was named a scholar athlete for her work in the classroom as a junior and was a part of the CIF NCS scholastic championship team.
Howard's athleticism and drive for competition can be seen in the multitude of sports in her repertoire that includes, track, soccer, swimming, water polo and ultimate Frisbee to go along with basketball.
USF rounds out its incoming class that can boast three top 15 players in Northern California, according to NorCalPreps.com. Howard joins Archbishop Mitty's Kalyn Simon (San Jose, Calif.) and Hashima Carothers from Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto, Calif.). The Dons also welcome Mesquite, Texas, standout and McDonalds All-America nominee Claudia Price to the Hilltop to complete the incoming class for 2013-14.
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