Skylights ink transfer guard

The Montana State University-Northern Skylights have another standout in the boat for their 2019 recruiting class.

Monday, MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat announced the signing of 5-8 guard Kenya Lorton. Lorton hails from Lower Columbia College.

“Kenya is a great addition for us. She’s coming from a program we are very familiar with, and she had a big year for them.” Mouat said. “Obviously, she is a big-time threat from the three-point line, but I also like her ability to get to the rim and finish. She gives us added scoring and depth at the guard position.”

Lorton was recently named a Northwest Athletic Conference First Team All-Western Region selection. This season, she averaged 14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the Red Devils. Lower Columbia won the NWAC West Division with a conference record of 12-2 and an overall record of 21-10. They advanced to the final 8 of the NWAC Tournament. This season, Lorton shot 36 percent from the three-point line (71 for 199).

“Kenya also does an outstanding job on the boards and she distributes the ball well.” Mouat added. “She was the team’s leading rebounder and was second on the team in assists per game. She will be a great fit in our program and we are excited to have another player from Lower Columbia joining us.”

Lorton attended Adna High School, a class 2B school in Chehalis, Washington, where she was a two-time All-State and All-Area selection in basketball. She also excelled in both soccer and track and field. In soccer, she earned All-Area and All-State honors as a junior and a senior, and her team finished third in the state both years. She participated in track and field as a freshman and a senior. As a freshman, she qualified for state in the long and triple jumps, the 300-meter hurdles, and the 100-meter hurdles. As a senior, she qualified in the 4-by-100 meter relay, the triple jump, and the long jump. She placed fifth in both the 4-by-100 meter relay and the triple jump.

Kenya is the daughter of Mike Lorton. She plans on majoring in criminal justice at MSU-Northern.