Julia Dufurrena is not going to have to go very far to continue her college basketball career. The 2012 Lowry High School graduate has spent her last two seasons at College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho.
She will spend her last two years of college in Idaho as well, after signing a letter of intent to play for Boise State University.
"It's kind of surreal to know that I am playing Division I college basketball," Dufurrena said. "That was my dream when I was a little girl growing up in Denio. They sent their recruiter to watch me about halfway through the season and stayed in contact ever since. In the end Boise State made an offer I could not resist. It is an amazing program and I am so excited to be a part of it."
Dufurrena has come a long way from her first season at College of Southern Idaho, when she suffered a concussion in a scrimmage in Salt Lake City at the beginning of the year. It took most of that season for her to get healthy and get back on the floor.
"It wasn't the best way to start and it was a bummer for sure," she said. "It was a struggle for me for most of the year to get playing time and I was held back a little because of my concussion. I kept on working on my game to get better and one day it just clicked. Everything came together from there."
Dufurrena battled her way in to the lineup this season, starting 32 of 33 games. She became a rebounding force for CSI this season, averaging 10.1 points and 10.9 rebounds a game. Her average for rebounds this year was a single-season school record and was 21st in the nation.
The 6-foot forward leaves the school as one of the top rebounders in the history of the program ranking second all-time with 482 career boards with an 8.2 per game average. This past year she led Region 18 in rebounding while setting school single-season records for total rebounds with 360.
Dufurrena was a first-team NJCAA All-Region 18 selection this year and was a second-team NJCAA All-Region 18 selection as a freshman in 2012-13.
"I am not sure how that happened," Dufurrena said of her rebounding ability. "I struggled a bit on offense and I had a lot of shots blocked. I tried to focus on what I could do when I wasn't scoring and making baskets. That was rebounding obviously. I got a lot of my points off put back shots. Even if I wasn't making shots, I knew I could hustle and do the little things to help. I am not the tallest person at my position, so I just worked hard. If I could rebound and do my job, I was happy."
Dufurrena helped CSI to the national tournament in Kansas in both seasons and said the experience was incredible despite losses in the first round in both years.
"It sucked that we were at nationals and lost in the first round both times," Dufurrena said. "The atmosphere is amazing and I was lucky to be there. I was with a program that where you were expected to get to the nationals every year."
Boise State has been coached by Gordy Presnell since the 2005 season. The Broncos last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2007 as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos, now in the Mountain West Conference, were picked for the Women's Basketball Invitational this past year, losing in the quarterfinals to Stephen F. Austin.
"We are extremely pleased and excited with the addition of Julia to our team," Presnell said in a press release by Boise State. "Julia's work ethic, academic aptitude, and winning experience will complement a strong foundation of returning players while providing essential leadership to her teammates also new to the program. Julia has been an integral part of two very successful programs at the College of Southern Idaho and Lowry High School. We are looking forward to incorporating that tradition and knowledge while continuing to increase her skills and abilities as we strive to create a team that can compete for a top spot in the Mountain West Conference."
While at Lowry, Dufurrena was a 2012 McDonald's All-America nominee, the 3A (Division I-A) Nevada State Player of the Year, as well as a two-time all-state first team and three-time all-league first team honoree. Dufurrena led the Buckaroos to a state championship during her sophomore season in 2010. She lettered four years in basketball, three in volleyball and one in golf.
Dufurrena said she was looking at Northern Colorado and College of Idaho to play at as well. The University of Nevada offered her to be a walk-on but she turned that down.
"I didn't want to be a walk on," she said. "Through high school that is all I wanted to do (is play at Nevada). I grew up as a little girl in Nevada and went to all their camps. I spent time with their coaches. They didn't want to be a part of me because I was too small."
Boise State graduates three seniors from its squad and welcomes in Dufurrena plus Shalen Shaw from Reno and Marijke Vanderschaaf (Sammamish, Wash.).
Dufurrena will head up to Boise in the June to begin workouts and said she needs to work on her ball handling and shooting. Summer school begins in July and Dufurrena will continue to study social work as he major. She added she would like to be a school counselor.
"I have to go out and prove myself, it's a job now," Dufurrena said. "Boise has given me the chance to play and I am grateful for that. Coming from a small community is a big plus as well. There is so many people that have backed me. I am not representing myself, but my town, my family and where I grew up. It is starting to sink in for me."
Contact Tony Erquiaga at t.erquiaga@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
