Lincoln High girls' basketball star Katie Leeth commits to CSUMB

The Lincoln High School girls' basketball team recently has had plenty of success. The team is 64-10 in its last three seasons with two Foothill Valley League championships, a Sac-Joaquin Section championship game appearance at Golden 1 Center and a NorCal title game appearance. Much of that Lady Zebras success is due to senior forward Katie Leeth, who has averaged nearly 15 points, nine rebounds and more than three blocks per game during her varsity career. Now, Leeth will prepare to make the jump to the collegiate level as she announced her commitment to continuing her basketball career at California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB) back on Nov. 26. "I'm super happy to be committed and so excited to play at the next level," Leeth said. "It definitely is a relief to just know that I don't have to worry about the recruiting process. I feel like committing early is really going to let me focus on making it far this year with our team." Leeth had talks with multiple coaches from other schools but always liked California State University at Monterey Bay the best. "The assistant coach, Imhotet Amen-Ra, was a local coach and he saw me playing growing up and Sarah Hopkins-Chery, the head coach at CSU Monterey Bay, also had been watching me play and I ended up going down there for an unofficial and official visit," Leeth said. She will look to help a Lady Otters team that struggled in the 2021-22 season, finishing 2-18. The Otters are currently 3-6 this season, as of press time. Leeth has started her senior year strong with the Fighting Zebras and is averaging 22.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game. "My biggest goal for this year is definitely to make it back to Golden 1 Center and to break the record for most points in girls' basketball," Leeth said. Leeth scored her 1,000th career point in a game against Oakland Tech on March 8 and was honored for the accomplishment at the Fighting Zebras' home opener against Del Oro High on Nov. 30. She is the first Lady Zebra basketball player to commit to a four-year college or university since Cassandra Pisik in 2016. "I'm beyond excited for Katie and her commitment to CSU Monterey Bay," Lady Zebras coach Amy Avila said. "She has worked so hard and has definitely earned it. Katie is the best all-around player I've had the pleasure of coaching. She is not only talented with her skills on the court but she has the most positive attitude, is so coachable, mentally tough and brings the best out of her teammates. Katie is a leader every time she steps on the court. I look forward to watching and cheering her on in college."