St. Scholastica basketball seniors Emilee Duet and Addison Pontiff have played together since they were 8.

So it was only fitting that the duo would sign their National Letters of Intent to play college basketball together as part of a three-person signing class on Jan. 17.

Duet is headed to the University of Mobile, while Pontiff will play at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark. Swimmer Gabby Hall rounded out the signing class and is headed to Colorado State University.

“It’s just a crazy, surreal moment,” Duet said. “I’m just proud of both of us for everything we’ve accomplished over the last five years. We’ve been playing together since Coquille since St. Peter’s since we were like 8 years old. It’s just insane that it’s our last year together.”

Pontiff agreed: “It’s unreal being here. I’m so proud of both of us, but it’s a little weird that we won’t be playing together next year. We’ve been playing together for the last eight years, so it’ll be weird. But it’s also a really special moment.”

Duet, who averages 20.1 points on 49% shooting, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game this season, said her journey to Mobile started through one of her trainers.

“I went to a camp, and then a few days after the camp, she called, and we’ve been in contact ever since,” Duet said. “I went to camp the next year, and I decided to commit before my senior year because I wanted to have everything done. It just felt like home.”

Pontiff, who averages 12.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game this season, said she chose the University of the Ozarks because it was a “perfect fit.”

“Their coach saw me play at an AAU tournament and reached out,” Pontiff said. “I got back with her and scheduled a visit. I got offered at my visit, and I just loved everything about the visit so much. It really did feel like home. It was a tough decision between a few different schools, but the University of the Ozarks was the perfect school for me.”

Hall, who officially signed during a ceremony at Pelican Athletic Club on Nov. 13, said the Rams offered everything she wanted. 

“Ever since my first conversation, I just really hit it off with the coaches. When I went and visited there, it was a really great environment. It was just a really good fit,” Hall said. 

“Recruiting is a very stressful, long process, but in the end, it was all worth it. In the end, I was very happy that I did it. I felt like I grew and gained a lot from it.”

Hall started swimming year-round at age 9 and has been swimming at PAC for the past two-plus years. She swims the free, back and butterfly.

At SSA, Hall helped continue the Doves’ streak of team state titles while also bringing home several individual state titles. This past season at the state meet, she won the 100-yard butterfly and the 100 backstroke and was a member of the state champion 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relay teams.

“I feel like my favorite stroke changes between seasons,” Hall said. “Obviously, 50 free is one of my favorite races, and I love swimming backstroke now. It’s definitely an ever-changing cycle of which one is my favorite.”