Window Rock Lady Scouts basketball standout Jana Solee signed a letter-of-intent with Mesa Community College to continue her education and basketball career.

Solee's Lady Scouts teammates, coach, school administrators, community supporters, friends, parents and relatives were in attendance to witness the historic occasion in Window Rock High School's Events Center in Fort Defiance.

Solee said signing her letter-of-intent means a lot to her.

"I've worked hard throughout my high school career," Solee said about her signing and to play at the next level. "It's going to be challenging to play college basketball. There are so many talented and skilled players in college. I have to work hard."

Solee said she received offers from other college and decided to sign with Mesa due to the fact Mesa has a strong program.

"My cousin, Myka Taliman of Page, plays for Mesa and my dad, Scott Solee, lives in Mesa and those are factors in my decision to sign with Mesa," Solee said. "I am looking forward to playing with Mesa."

Mesa, who were 2014 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Champions, are 20-9 overall and 17-5 in Arizona Community College Athletic Conferene standings. Mesa has earned a Region I ACCAC Division II playoff berth next week.

The 5-foot-10 Solee, averaged 13.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists this year with Window Rock. Solee was a three-time 3A North All-Region selection. This year, Solee was 3A North All-Region Co-Player of the Year with her cousin, Jayla McIntosh of Ganado.

Mesa head coach Kori Stephenson said the Thunderbirds wanted Jana last year, however, she was only a junior, therefore the school continued to build relationship with Solee that enabled Mesa to receive Solee's commitment to the Thunderbirds.

"Our program is excited to have once again, the best player from the north on our team," Stephenson said. "Jana's poise and competitiveness on the court, along with her character and strong academic performance made her an easy choice for the 2020 recruiting class. Our staff understands how fortunate we are to have Jana commit to our team."

Solee's mother, Jennifer Solee-Taliman, said she and her family are excited Kori Stephenson, Mesa's womens' basketball head coach, will be coaching Jana to help her become a stronger and better shooting guard.

"Coach Stephenson has the ability and is highly experienced to take Jana to the next level to play in a (NCAA) Division I team, if Jana decides to continue to play at a university," Solee-Taliman said. "MCC's womens' basketball team are doing great this season. We can't wait for Jana to play with her cousin, Myke Taliman, next season."

Solee-Taliman added, "Jana is a sweet, bright child and is very coordinated and humble. She would definitely be an asset to the team. I call her Jana Star and Jana Bee. Jana Bee is a nickname given by me, due to all the Junie B. Jones books she collected as a child. Jana Star, a nickname given to her as a baby. I knew she was very special, to all of us."

Solee-Taliman continued, "With God doors open for her all the time, connections and referrals from friends were made to coach Stephenson. God always made paths for her to meet influential sports people like Alvin Gentry, Bill Frieder, Corey Gaines and got tips from Diana Taurasi and received personal instruction from Brittney Griner. Jana received coaches awards and played in championships games at the Phoenix Suns Basketball Camps as a child and has continued to receive many awards academically and athletically."

Solee-Taliman said her son and Jana's brother, JayDiamond Taliman has coached and mentored throughout the years. Solee-Taliman said Jana's father, Scott Solee, helped Jana attend practice everyday.