Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – As a four-sport athlete Annie Gahan is accustomed to doing a little bit of everything over the course of the year.

That variety in sports has helped turn Gahan into a versatile weapon on both ends of the court for unbeaten Regina which has been impressive during its 4-0 start to the season.

“Having all those skills from other sports really plays into how I play in basketball,” Gahan said. “I think basketball is probably the one where I have to use every single sport the most so I think having that experience across all sports helps.”

Gahan is averaging a team-high 18 points and leads the Regals in both blocked shots and steals during a strong start to what second-year Regina coach Mary Halvorson envisions as a breakthrough season for the senior guard.

“She has really stepped up,” Halvorson said. “I didn’t know with everybody that left last year, I knew she would be valuable to every part of what we do offensively and defensively but it’s just the confidence. I think she is starting to believe in herself and trust herself.”

A multi-year starter in volleyball, basketball and softball and a state track qualifier Gahan is far and away the most experienced athlete on the Regina roster.

Those experienced combined with two years of previous starting experience in basketball made Gahan the natural leader for the Regals this season.

Adding the leadership duties to her list of on-court chores has helped Gahan gain confidence.

“I think just taking that leadership role has really helped my confidence,” Gahan said. “I think I’ve been more composed instead of scrambling all the time. I’ve just kind of taken a deep breath and focused on myself and I think that rubs off on the rest of the team.”

Gahan averaged 11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds as a junior but has taken her game to another level this season.

Through four games Gahan is averaging 18 points, 5.3 steals, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 blocked shot per game.

“I’ve definitely heard her voice a lot more and she didn’t have to do that as much in the past,” Halvorson said. “She has been a step above what we need her to be.”

Versatility on the court has been a key for Gahan.

A 5-foot-7 guard that has taken more than 100 3-pointers in each of the past two seasons, Gahan is doing a little bit of everything on both ends of the court this season.

Gahan is scoring in the post and on the perimeter but is at her best in transition.

She is shooting a career-best 51 percent from the field including 44 percent from behind the 3-point line.

Gahan may be perhaps even more valuable, and more versatile on the defensive end of the court where she can pressure a ball handler or defend the post.

“Sometimes she is going to be out of position playing the five or playing the four and playing in the post but we are try to tweak things around even though she is inside to get her outside on the perimeter where she is more used to being,” Halvorson said. “She is just so explosive and can elevate like I have never seen another player that I have coached.”

Softball is the sport of the future for the multi-talented Gahan who will play collegiately at Kirkwood beginning next fall.

First, she wants  finish what has been a stellar prep basketball career on a high note.

“I think that we can be really good,” Gahan said. “We know what potential that we have so I think we can be really successful in the future.”

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