Two Cougars Sign to Same NAIA York University Women’s Basketball

TAFT, CA – After a consecutive second winning season, Taft College Women's Basketball recently announced two student-athletes who signed their national letter of intents to continue their careers at the 4-year level.

Yareli Gomez and Amaya Payne will continue their careers together at the same school in York University in York, Nebraska. Gomez, who is a 5'9" power forward, took a gap year assisting head coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. this past season. She originally signed with NAIA St. Mary of the Woods last year but didn't work out for a few reasons. So, Gomez continued to take online academic courses at Fresno State University and returned to the gym on the sidelines to help as an assistant coach. Gomez was a second team all-conference and academic all-state player during the 2023-2024 season. She was the top five leading rebounders in the Central Valley Conference.

Payne, also a 5'9" forward, led as a top five rebounder and was named both honorable mention all-conference and academic all-state.

Both student-athletes will play for York University head women's basketball coach Corinna Minjarez for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

Coach Lagmay stated, "Yareli and Amaya are your ideal student-athletes. Both are dedicated to doing the best they can in that classroom as well as competing on the court. York University is getting the type of individuals coaches love to have in their programs."