Lopreato signs with Blackhawk Community College

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant senior Andrea Lopreato will headed to the Quad Cities next fall.

The Panther girls’ basketball standout made her college choice known last week in the Media Center at Mt. Pleasant Community High School, when she signed with Black Hawk College in Moline.

Mt. Pleasant’s Andrea Lopreato poses with family and coaches before signing her letter of intent to play basketball at Black Hawk Community College in Moline next season. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

“I had a lot of other offers, NAIA and what not,” Lopreato said. “But I think (it was) just being closer to home and knowing (Head Coach Logan Frye better than other coaches.”

Lopreato is about to enter her final year of high school basketball. She has been a staple of the girls’ basketball team since her freshman year, finishing third in scoring as a ninth-grader before leading the team as a sophomore and junior.

Lopreato scored 21.3 points per game last year, meaning she’ll be the leading returning scorer in all of Class 4A. She also pulled down 9.9 rebounds per game, and dished out 4.3 assists per game, both a team high.

Mt. Pleasant’s Andrea Lopreato flies in for a layup during the Panthers’ 61-30 win over Washington on Dec. 17, 2021. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

“They've been saying they needed someone like me to complete their team,” Lopreato said. “We'll just see how that happens.”

Blackhawk College went 22-10 last season. The Braves are off to a 2-2 start this season.

Blackhawk has four Iowans on its active roster, including 2022 Mid-Prairie graduate Maddie Nonnenmann.

Lopreato credits the variety of Mt. Pleasant coaches for helping her become a next level player.

“Each coach is different,” Lopreato said. “They all have their own style in how they help you, and how they see what you need to work on.”

The Panthers were 12-11 overall and 5-5 in Southeast Conference play last season. Mt. Pleasant advanced to the regional semifinals before falling to SEC champion Keokuk.

Lopreato says she hopes her last season in a Mt. Pleasant uniform leads to a big run this season, but that she also hopes to enjoy the last ride.

“(My goal is) just to have fun, knowing this is my last season playing with my high school team,” Lopreato said. “I want to take them as far as I can, but that's a team thing, so hopefully we can go far.”