By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph Benton High School’s Andrea Simmons, a two time all state basketball player, has changed her mind and will play closer to home.
After originally signing last November to play at Rockhurst, Simmons reopened her recruitment in April and now will head to Maryville to play for head coach Austin Meyer and Northwest Missouri State University.
Simmons says she received a lot of great offers, but she grew up being a Bearcat
“I always dreamed of playing for green, I do bleed some green, and it’s only 45 minutes up the road and I really love being around my family,” Simmons tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I have three younger brothers that i love to watch play and grow, and they’ll be able to be a part of my college basketball career too now.”
Simmons mom Amy and her aunt Annie both played basketball for the Bearcats. Her dad Wes played football.
Simmons went to state three times with Benton, with three second place finishes. She says each state championship loss is a certain lesson she learned and will take with her to the next level
“I think the hard work and preparation for those big moments and being able to play under that pressure is something that I will continue to hold on to into my college experience,” Simmons says. “Playing under the big lights, I think those are great experiences for a young player to have early on in their career.”
Simmons says knowing the success the Bearcats men’s program has had over the years, she hopes that she can help to bring the same success to the women’s side
“I got to talk with and had offers from established programs, and I think it would be way more fun to go do it in green, because that’s just how I was raised and I’ve grown up loving Northwest,” Simmons says.
Northwest’s women have not won a championship, and last made a trip to the Elite Eight in 2023. The Bearcats last made the national semifinals in 2011.
As a senior at Benton Simmons averaged 15 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.