Skylights add another Lady Griz transfer

By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com

The Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team is adding some immediate help.

The Skylights have signed Delayne Johnston, who will transfer to Northern from the University of Montana.

Johnston, who hails from Richey, redshirted last season for the Lady Griz basketball program and competed this season for the Montana volleyball team.

Because she is transferring from an NCAA school to an NAIA school, Johnston will be eligible to participate this semester for the Skylights.

"I am very excited to have another Montana athlete like Delayne step into our program," said head coach Mike Erickson. "She will bring instant enthusiasm to our team. A player with such talent as Delayne can only make a team better."

At 6-0, Johnston will bring more size to an already formidable Skylight front line with 6-3 center Megan Valgardson and 5-11 post player Michele VanDyke.

Johnston has a stellar resume that includes playing on a pair of undefeated state championship basketball teams during her sophomore and junior years and an undefeated state volleyball championship squad during her sophomore year.

She was three-time all-state selection in volleyball and basketball and was chosen to represent Montana in the Montana/Wyoming high school all-star game in 2001.

Johnston is also a solid student, earning academic all-state honors in all four years of high school in both volleyball and basketball.

"On the floor, she is very effective from the outside while is strong enough to play in the inside," Erickson said. "I feel she will be a very dominant player and a positive reflection of the Skylight Program."