TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State Women's Basketball head coach Fala Bullock has begun to fill her scholarships for the 2021-22 campaign announcing Ashton Hackler as the first NLI signee.
 
"Ashton is the epitome of a student-athlete as she is at the top of her class academically and is one of the top players in the state," Bullock said. "Her ability to play on both ends combined with her length and grit make her versatility a challenge for opponents. We are excited to welcome Ashton and the Hackler family to the RiverHawks."
 
The 6-0 guard from Hartshorne, Oklahoma, will graduate from Hartshorne High School as the valedictorian and four year letterwinner who led the Lady Miners to the Class 2A OSSAA State Tournament for three consecutive seasons. Hackler was selected to the VYPE Magazine Top 100 and was recently named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State and OGBCA All-State Teams in 2A. The Lady Miners went 92-11 with Hackler running the point.
 
This past season Hackler averaged 23.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 4.2 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. She scored 24 points in her final high school game and was named the most valuable player in the Black Diamond Conference.
 
Ashton is the daughter of Holly and Shane Hackler and has one brother, Noah. She plans to major in pre-medicine.