Black Hills State Women's Basketball announced its signing day class of seven women Wednesday-Friday for the 2021-2022 season.
 
"We are excited to officially welcome Kalla, Haylee, Alivia, Samantha, Natalie, Kylie and Tyler into our Yellow Jacket Women's Basketball Family," said Head Coach Mark Nore. "This group of young ladies are very enthusiastic as well as highly motivated both in the classroom and on the basketball court. We are excited about their energy and commitment to being outstanding student-athletes at Black Hills State University. We hit a home run with this recruiting class and could not be more excited about the young ladies we have signing with us. Every single one of these student athletes have very high character and a ton of talent. We would classify them as an elite group of people that have a tremendous upside and a passion for the game."
 
Kalla Bertram
As a member of the Winner High School basketball team in Winner, S.D. Bertram was a member of the Undefeated State Champion team in 2019 and competed with the team recording a record of 46 wins and no losses from 2018-2020. Bertram set a school record for field goal percentage in a single season at 58.4% in 2020. Bertram averaged 13.9 points per game and collected a total of 71 steals as a junior. She was also selected as SESD and Big Dakota All-Conference in 2020 and Sacred Hoops Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Bertram was also named to the Honor Roll 2018-2020. Bertram's older sister Keeley was a standout basketball player for the Yellow Jacket Basketball Program from 2014-19.
 
"Kalla is a South Dakota product that I have known for many years," Said Head Coach Mark Nore. "Kalla is as tough and hard-nosed as they come. She can play and defend multiple positions because of her grit and athletic ability. I do not believe there are many kids tougher than her out there."
 
Natalie Holte
As a member of the Shakopee High School basketball team in Shakopee, Minnesota. Holte averaged 11.8 points per game and shot 29% from the 3-point line as a junior. She was a member of the South Suburban All-Conference team in 2020 and earned Honorable Mention in 2019. In 2019 Holte was a member of the Section 2AAAA Championship team and participate in the state tournament. Throughout high school Holte was a Varsity starter three years and a team captain for two years. Holte was a member of the MN AAU D2 state championship team in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She also was named to "A" Honor Role in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
 
"Natalie is a true point guard that can really stroke the ball and play with great pace," said Coach Nore.  "She is good on ball defender and creates a lot of deflections. Natalie is so passionate about the game and it really shows on the court. She is an all-out winner of a young lady."
 
Samantha Oase
As a member of the Scranton Public School basketball team in Reeder, N.D. Oase averaged 17.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game as a junior. She also totaled 69 blocks, 47 assists, and 62 steals her junior year. Oase was named to the First Team All-State team, the All-State Tournament team, and the All-Region 7 team in 2019 and 2020. She was named to the "A" Honor Roll all 4 years of high school and earned the class rank of #1 overall.
 
"Sam can play multiple positions on the floor and fills the traditional role we look for in the post," said Head Coach Nore. "She plays with great toughness and energy. We love her ability to score in the paint and her willingness to rebound and do the little things. She is a fantastic young lady."
 
Alivia Pautz
As a member of the Notre Dame Preparatory High School Basketball team in Phoenix, Ariz. Pautz averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. In 2019 Pautz was named to the First Team All-Region team and was named Regional Defensive Player of the Year. In 2020 she earned First Team All-Region and Second Team All-Conference.
 
"Alivia is versatile guard/forward that has great length impacting the game on both ends of the floor," said Coach Mark Nore. "Liv has ability to knock down shots or play with her back to the basket. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to alter shots in the paint due to her skill and length on the defensive end."
 
Kylie Sanger
As a member of the Windsor High School basketball team in Windsor, Colo. Sanger averaged 13.5 points and 2.1 steals per game as a junior. She was also named to the Tri-Valley All-Conference First Team and was named a Northern Colorado All-Star athlete in 2020. Sanger was also a finalist for KFKA Northern Colorado Women's Basketball Player of the year in 2020. Sanger earned both an Athletic Basketball Award and an Academic Award in 2019 and 2020.
 
"Kylie is a gym rat and one of the best shooters in the state of Colorado," says Coach Nore. "She can stretch out the floor on the offensive end because of her ability to hit big shots. She continues to improve because of her passion for the game."
 
Haylee Weathersby
As a member of the Apollo High School basketball team in Glendale Ariz. Weathersby averaged 17.7 points, 3.1 assists, 3.3 steals, 2 blocks, and 15 rebounds per game as a junior. Throughout her high school career, she totaled 1,368 points and 1,010 rebounds. Weathersby earned Basketball Regional Recognition in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Twice Weathersby was recognized as AZ Central Athlete of the Week. She has been named Apollo student of the Year for the 2020-21 school year. Haylee had both a Grandmother and a Grandfather who graduated from Black Hills State University.
 
"Haylee is a mobile post player with tremendous size that has ability to play inside and out," said Coach Nore. "She is a 6'2 player that can really shoot from the 3 and score from a face up or back to the basket position. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to rebound and throw an outlet pass."
 
Tyler Whitlock
As a member of the Holy Family High School basketball team in Erie, Colo. Whitlock averaged 9.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1 block per game as a junior. In 2020 Whitlock lead the Tri-Valley League with 4.3 steals per game. She was named to First Team All-Conference and earned Honorable Mention for All-State in 2020. Whitlock was a member of the Conference Championship teams in and was part of the 4A Colorado Final Four in 2019 and 2020. Whitlock was named to First-Team All-Academic in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She also earned "A" Honor Roll in 2017 and 2019. Tyler's family is originally from Spearfish.
 
"Tyler is a great athlete with good size that can really defend," Said Coach Mark Nore. "With her grit and energy, she is one that could be a defensive stopper for us down the road. She can really jump and is already touching the rim."