The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program announced the signings of Emma Pierson (G, 5-9, Cherry Valley, Ill./Belvidere H.S.), and Anna Westby (F, 5-11, Eveleth, Minn./Rock Ridge H.S.).
Pierson and Westby show a focus on signing top players from the region. The Golden Eagles currently have 10 players on their roster from Minnesota, one from Wisconsin, one from Illinois, and one from Idaho.
Emma Pierson (G, 5-9, Cherry Valley, Ill./Belvidere H.S.)
Pierson will be a two-sport athlete at Minnesota Crookston, also competing in women’s golf. She averaged 22.4 points per game, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 steals per tilt. Pierson has 1,614 career points. Pierson is an All-State Honorable Mention selection in Illinois from the Associated Press, and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. Pierson is a 1,000 point scorer, and a four-time All-Conference and All-Scholar. She is a four-year varsity starter, and has been her team’s Most Valuable Player. Pierson has two school records for single-season scoring, and single-game scoring with 40 points. She has played club basketball for the Wisconsin Lakers, competing in the Select 40 Power 24 League. Pierson also played golf and ran track, helping the golf team to conference and regional titles. Pierson has been a state participant in golf three times, and she has advanced to state twice in track in the 4×100 relay and 400-meter race.
She is the daughter of Ryan and Brenda Pierson. Pierson plans to major in sports and rec management, and communication . Her father Ryan Pierson played basketball at Highland College, while her mother Brenda Pierson played volleyball at Highland College.
“We are so excited to welcome Emma to Crookston!,” Moynihan stated. “Emma is lightning quick, long, tenacious and just a flat out scorer! Her elevated intensity and level of play will continue to help bring our program to new heights. Emma is an awesome player and person and we can’t wait for her to be a part of our Golden Eagle family!”
Anna Westby (F, 5-11, Eveleth, Minn./Rock Ridge H.S.)
Westby was named to the All-Lake Superior Conference team, and the All-Area Team. Westby was named to the Class AAA All-State Honorable Mention team. She has a 3.93 GPA, and is a National Honor Society member. Westby led Rock Ridge with 18.1 points per game as a junior on their way to the Section 7AAA Championship. She scored her 1,000th career point last season against Hibbing High School in February.
She is the daughter of Kelly Torel of Aurora, Minn., and Jody Westby of Eveleth, Minn. She plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. Westby’s uncle Matt Niskanen played college hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth. He went on to play in the NHL with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers. Niskanen won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
“We are so excited to welcome Anna to our Golden Eagle family!,” Moynihan said. “Anna’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the basketball will prove to be a match up nightmare in our league! She’s a diamond in the rough and I am excited to see her unleashed. Anna is a great player and person and we can’t wait to see her in maroon and gold!”
