Black Hills State women's basketball and Head Coach Mark Nore are pleased to announce a pair of signings as members of the 2022-23 signing class.
 
The Yellow Jackets have signed Alessia Capley out of Arvada, Colo. and Kacee Groves out of Faith, S.D. to join the team for the 2022-23 season.
 
Kaycee Groves
Groves is a 5' 10 guard joining the Yellow Jackets from Faith, S.D. where she spent her high school campaign playing for Faith High School.
 
"Kaycee is a strong skilled guard that can play anywhere on the floor," said head coach Mark Nore. "She can score the ball in multiple ways having the potential to be a match up problem for a lot of teams.  She has spent a lot of time on the court improving her craft and skill.  Kaycee has a high IQ for the game, we really like her ability to pass the ball and see the floor.   She is a very hard worker that wants to be great, we are very excited about her decision to be a Yellow Jacket and a part of our family."
 
As a freshman Groves tallied nine points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 2.3 steals per game, and 0.5 blocks per game. Groves earned shooting percentages of 31.7% from beyond the arc, 47.2% in the paint, and 72.3% from the charity stripe during her freshman year.
 
Throughout her sophomore year Groves racked up 17.2 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 4.3 steals per game, and 1.6 blocks per game. Groves improved her shooting averages her sophomore year with a 55% average in the paint, 41% from beyond the arc, and a 71% from the charity stripe.
 
Kaycee did not play her junior year. As a senior however Groves tallied 11.5 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 2.1 steals per game, 2.5 assists per game, and 0.5 blocks per game. In her high school career Groves racked up 951 points in three seasons played, 482 rebounds, 247 steals, 230 assists, and 60 blocks. As a senior Kaycee was named team captain.
 
Groves played in the State Tournament for the 2017-18 season, 2019-20 season, and 2021-22 season. Kaycee is a six-year letter winner in basketball, was named Second Team All-State, and was named to the State Tournament All-Tournament Team. Groves earned First Team-All Conference, LMC All-Tournament Team, LMC First Team All-Conference, and WRT All-Tournament Team. Kaycee was named to the Argus Leader Preseason First Five and earned Faith High School's season MVP and top rebounder.
 
Groves is first overall in her class carrying a 4.143 GPA and plans to major in Exercise Science at BHSU with hopes of becoming a physical therapist for a college or professional team. Groves is an active member of the National Honor Society, a quiz bowl member, a National History Day state champion and national qualifier, and an Academic Olympics and High Point Individual winner.
 
Kaycee has a sister, Kailyn, who plays basketball for Dickinson State University and a brother, Harland, who plays basketball for Northwestern College.
 
Alessia Capley
Capley is a 6'2" forward hailing from Arvada, Colo. where she attended Ralston Valley High School. Out of high school Capley attended Otero Junior College where she competed as a member of their women's basketball team.
 
"Alessia is a veteran player that provides us with some good size and toughness inside," said head coach Mark Nore. "Offensively she can play inside or out with the ability to knock down shots and score with her back to the basket.  Capley is a very unselfish player that has a true passion for the game and her teammates.  Defensively she has a lot of experience defending high level interior players and we are look forward to her bringing that edge to our team.  She is a high energy, high character young lady! We are very excited about Alessia and her decision to become a Yellow Jacket."
 
As a freshman at Otero Junior College Capley averaged 12.9 points per game while epulling in an average of 9.2 boards per game. Capley was named to the Region IX All-Tournament team her freshman year as well.
 
Capley transferred to Presbyterian College for her sophomore year where she played for the women's basketball program. Throughout her sophomore year Capley averaged 3.4 points per game and 3.9 reboards per game while averaging 14 minutes of play per game. Capley scored a career-high 15 points against Hampton in her sophomore season as well.
 
Throughout her junior year Capley averaged 2.7 points per game and 3.4 rebounds while averaging 5.8 minutes per game.
 
Capley hopes to become a college coach and joins the Yellow Jackets as a graduate student. Capley's brother Antonio Capley played basketball for BHSU form 2016-2020.