Miahna Waters big reason for Mt. Spokane’s success this season

Greater Spokane League basketball has had its share of outstanding rebounders over the years.

A new name to add to the list is Mt. Spokane junior Miahna Waters. If there’s a ball the 5-foot-8 forward’s reach, it’s hers to be sure.

In three key league games, Waters had eight in a win at Gonzaga Prep, a season high 16 in a one-point loss to Mead and 13 against State 4A champ Central Valley.

“In my 20 years coaching this sport, both as a head coach and assistant, I have never had a player that does what Miahna does,” Mt. Spokane coach David Pratt said. “She is all over the place, impacting us defensively and offensively by her sheer will to get to the ball. She has a nose for the ball and that’s actually an understatement.”

The impact Waters had on Mt. Spokane’s second-place finish behind unbeaten CV is all-league quality. In addition to the rebounds, she averages 5.8 points per game and has collected steals and assists in bunches at times.

Waters has committed to play volleyball at Southern Utah. She springs above the net as an outside hitter and her swings pack much velocity.

“She has a motor,” CV coach Freddie Rehkow said. “That’s what is going to be tough for a lot of 3A teams they will play (in the postseason). They’re not used to playing against somebody who is 5-8 and battles like that.”

CV’s Lexie Hull, a 6-1 wing who has given Stanford an oral commitment, had to guard Waters last week.

“She’s a great player,” Hull said. “Props to her. Defensively and offensively her rebounding is hard to keep track of.”

Waters embraces her role wholeheartedly.

“She simply knows that her role is to be an athlete on both ends,” Pratt said. “My opinion – but I bet other coaches in the league agree – she is an all-league player simply because of her hard work.”

Pratt was approached by a college coach at the state tournament last year. He was inquiring about Waters.

“He told me “Your No. 4 is one of the best athletes I have ever seen on a basketball court. She is unbelievable’,” Pratt said. “And when I told the coach that she is headed to Southern Utah on a volleyball scholarship, she said, ‘Wow. This girl could play basketball at a high level’.”