Skylights ink Butte High hoops standout

The women's basketball season may have just ended for the Montana State University-Northern Skylights. But head coach Chris Mouat has already begun assembling a new recruiting class.

Mouat recently announced the signing Butte High's Natalee Faupel, a 5-11 guard/forward.

Butte High's Natalee Faupel

Faupel, a three-sport standout, has been a member of the varsity basketball team since her freshman year. She has been a three-time all-state track athlete, and a three-time all-state selection in soccer. The Bulldog basketball team recently wrapped up their season with a trip to the Class AA state girls tournament earlier this month in Great Falls.

"Natalee is a huge addition to our program," Mouat said. "She is one of the top players in the state of Montana, and has a very bright future as a college basketball player. She is capable of playing a number of positions on the floor, and will fit into our system perfectly. Natalee has been a vital part of a very successful program at Butte High School, and she knows how to win."

Faupel earned Eastern AA All-Conference honors last season and again this year. This season, Faupel averaged 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game. She shot 46% from the field, 47% from the 3-point line, and 75% from the free-throw-line on her way to Class AA All-State honors.

"Natalee is a great all-around athlete," Mouat said. "She has speed, jumps well, and has been extremely successful in all that she does. She seems to be playing better and better all of the time, and is a vital part of one of the top teams in all of AA basketball. We feel very fortunate to have added a student-athlete of her caliber and are excited for her future in a Skylight uniform."

Faupel is the daughter of Cheri Faupel. She carries a 3.7 grade point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.

The Skylights lose three seniors this spring. For more Skylights' recruits, see the Havre Daily News later this week.