Shorecrest grad makes her presence known on college team

Julia Strand
Photo courtesy Chapman Athletics

Strand Records First Collegiate Double-Double

2018 Shorecrest grad Julia Strand is already making her presence known on the women’s basketball team at Chapman University.

She recorded a ‘double-double’ Saturday in the team’s 69-62 win over Redlands. Strand had 14 points and ten rebounds in 29 minutes as the Panthers upped their mark on the young season to 6-1.

Strand, the daughter of Mike and Kim Strand of Lake Forest Park, is averaging just over 9 points and 5 rebounds a game, while shooting a robust 57% from the field. She has been the first player off the bench for the Panthers.

She seems to have made a smooth transition from high school to college.

“I am having so much fun. It’s definitely harder than I thought it would be and pretty time consuming, which took some adjusting to, but I am so glad I am playing and going to school here. Some of my best friends are my new teammates. The whole environment with all the girls is so supportive and fun, and we all push each other to be better. I am super happy here.”

Her coach is happy she’s there, too. Carol Jue is in her 17th season as Head Coach of the Panthers and has a 290-116 record, winning an impressive 71.4% of her games. They play a smart, scrappy brand of pressure basketball that’s truly fun to watch.

Here’s what she has to say about the six-foot tall former Scot.

"What a gem we have in Julia!! We are so fortunate she chose Chapman and is becoming such a force on our team. She’s making an impact in the center position with her rebounding and scoring. She’s a fast learner and she’s able to make adjustments quickly. We have her playing in the front of our press defense with the guards. Thank goodness she’s on our team!!"

Chapman, the defending Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference champion, is an NCAA Division-III school located in the City of Orange, right in the heart of Orange County, California, a stone’s throw from the Big A, Anaheim Stadium.

Its noted graduates include former Mariners owner (and U.S. Ambassador to Spain) George Argyros, actor Colin Hanks, San Diego attorney Tim Workman, former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, and former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin.

--Sports Desk