KAMLOOPS – The Thompson Rivers WolfPack women's basketball team and head coach Todd Warnick have continued a longstanding tradition of local talents staying home to play their post-secondary basketball with the announcement that Morgan Eichenberger, Kylee Koppes and Lucy Marchese have committed to the 'Pack.
 
A 5-11 forward from St Ann's Academy, Eichenberger has close ties to the university.
 
"I am happy to play for my hometown team, to have the support of my friends and family cheering me on," said Eichenberger. "I have grown up watching WolfPack games, so now to get the opportunity to play is a dream come true. My dad played basketball for the University College of the Cariboo so to play for the same program is pretty neat."
 
 A provincial all-star at St. Ann's, Eichenberger sees her best fit at the forward position where she will bring a love for defence and rebounding the ball.
 
"Morgan took part in the inaugural year of our Jr. Pack program, she showed her potential to provide defensive strength both inside and out," said Warnick. "She led her team to a berth at provincials this past year and is a great example of how even at a small school, dedicated players can shine."
 
Eichenberger, who represented Team BC at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games, plans to study sciences at TRU.


 
Joining the 'Pack from just down the road at South Kamloops Secondary, Koppes was the Senior Female Athlete of the Year for the Titans.
 
"Being from Kamloops, I have seen my fair share of WolfPack games, and they are always so fun to go watch," said the 5-8 forward. "I am looking forward to being able to be the one on the court playing in front of my family and friends." 
 
Another hard-working defensive player, Koppes has been playing basketball since grade four.
 
"Kylee is someone who we have had the privilege of seeing develop over the past two years," said Warnick. "She is a high-level multi-sport athlete who will bring a high level of dynamic athleticism to our team day in and day out." 
 
A member of the Principal's list throughout high school, Koppes plans to work towards earning a Bachelor of Arts at TRU.


 
Joining her teammate from South Kamloops, Marchese is another standout Titan that is looking forward to playing for the hometown team.
 
"I chose to join the 'Pack because Kamloops basketball has been on the rise, and I'm looking forward to continuing to contribute to that," said the 5-9 guard. "I grew up watching this team and am lucky enough to have grown up learning from lots of them. I am so excited to continue to play in front of my family and friends."
 
A fast guard that likes to play with pace and shoot the ball, Marchese is a key addition in this year's recruiting class for TRU.
 
"Lucy is one of the key pillars of our recruiting class this past year," said Warnick. "In addition to being part of our Jr. Pack in year one, she also played key role in the success enjoyed by South Kamloops Secondary. Lucy is a dynamic scorer who can find ways to score in a variety of ways. In addition, her length and strength at the wing position is a tremendous addition to our team."
 
Falling in love with basketball at a young age thanks in large part to a shared passion for the sport with her father, Marchese has helped lead South Kamloops to a trio of top-three finishes at the B.C. High School Provincial Championships. She plans on studying sciences at TRU.


 
The three players join fellow Kamloopsians Francesca Faraone, Jocelyn Orr and Jaya Saroya on the WolfPack roster and appear poised to write another chapter in a program history books that is dominated by local talent.
 
"While we have been able to establish an exciting young foundation from across western Canada this past season; the ability to keep local talent here to carry on the tradition set by so many past student-athletes is very important," said Warnick. "There have been so many amazing young women who have distinguished themselves on the court from the interior of BC that this region is a major priority for the recruiting strategy myself and my staff have developed. This is something that we hope the local schools, who do a great job of developing these players, in concert with our Jr. Pack program and our new Fall Academy initiative can help to foster that talent to help the 'Pack for years to come."