ANCHORAGE (Nov. 14) – Off to an unbeaten start this season, the Alaska Anchorage women's basketball team began restocking for the future Thursday, with head coach Ryan McCarthy announcing that four highly touted prep prospects have signed to join the Seawolves in 2025-26.

The largest class of early signees under McCarthy includes Alaska high school stars Mylee Anderson (Wasilla), Kerra Baxter (Juneau/Thunder Mountain) and Jennifer Nash (Point Hope/Tikigaq), along with international addition Evie Leeson (Christchurch, New Zealand).

"We're thrilled to add this group to our already strong core, and excited to see the impact they'll make on our program for years to come," said McCarthy, in his 13th year leading the Seawolves. "It's especially gratifying to keep the finest talent in our state right here where it belongs, and I know they'll represent us well."

A 5-8 point guard, Anderson captured first-team all-state accolades as a sophomore and junior at Wasilla High, helping the Warriors to the 4A state title last year with 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.6 steals per game. She averaged 22.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.7 spg at the state tournament, producing 27 points and 10 rebounds in the semifinals and 21 points and five steals in the title game. Anderson is also the starting setter for the Warriors volleyball team that began defense of its state title today at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Coach McCarthy says:
"Mylee is a player we have had our eyes on for a very long time. We have been able to watch her throughout high school and see her develop into one of the top players in our state. I have never seen a better leader at the high school level, and Mylee embodies the characteristics of that word. Lastly, we just got someone who absolutely took over the state tournament – those are the types of players we seek. To say we are excited about Mylee is an understatement."

A 6-3 forward, Baxter led Thunder Mountain High School to a fourth-place showing at the 2024 ASAA 4A State Tournament in the school's final year of existence. She led the Falcons with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a state quarterfinal win over Dimond, and produced 16 points in a consolation loss to Mountain City. Baxter is joining the Juneau-Douglas program for her senior season.

Coach McCarthy says:
"Kerra is a long, athletic forward who really flew under the radar. She has had a great career down in Juneau and has shown a ton of growth each year. As successful as she has been in high school, I think she can accomplish even more in college. Her athleticism and versatility should allow her to play multiple positions and make her extremely valuable in our program. We can't wait to see her in a Seawolf jersey."

A 6-2 forward, Leeson will join current freshman Ashlyn Rean as the second New Zealander on the roster, giving UAA four international players in 2025-26. Like Rean, she brings experience as a member of the Tall Ferns national age-group squads. In June, Leeson averaged 6.4 points on 59 percent shooting, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup in China, going for 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a quarterfinal loss to South Korea.

Coach McCarthy says:
"Evie is very athletic and is a strong, physical post who can run the floor and defend at a high level. She has been one of the top players in her country, and I think she fits our style of play perfectly. I anticipate Evie will have an immediate impact in our program and am excited to coach her for the next four years."

A 5-5 point guard, Nash is looking to add a third 2A state title to her resume this winter, having led the Harpoonerettes to championships in 2022 and 2023, and a runner-up finish last season. The reigning Alaska 2A Player of the Year, Nash averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.3 steals at the 2024 state tournament, and she has regularly found success on the bigger stage, helping Tikigaq to multiple victories over Alaska large-school and Lower 48 competition.

Coach McCarthy says:
 "Jennifer has had a remarkable career at Tikigaq, and has a high ceiling for development. She has a very high basketball IQ and feel for the game where she can play both guard positions. She has dominated her level of high school basketball and led her team to beat bigger schools as well. Players from rural Alaska have found success in our program, and I think Jennifer has all the tools to follow that trend. We can't wait for her to represent her home state."