Submitted photos – Madison Gossi, third from left, along with some of her Ferndale teammates at Thursday’s letter signing ceremony.

By Ray Hamill — A productive offseason continued for head coach Bree Northern and the College of the Redwoods women’s basketball team this week.

Sophomore guard Nora Talty officially announced she is taking her talents to a four-year program, and just a few days later Ferndale High senior Madison Gossi signed her letter of intent to play for the local community college, becoming the fourth offseason recruit for Northern.

Talty, who has enjoyed tremendous success both at CR and Arcata High, is moving on to play at the Oregon Institute of Technology, joining an NAIA program that has enjoyed plenty of success in recent years.

The Owls are a perennial powerhouse, and Northern believes it will be a great fit for a guard who led CR in several key categories during her time with the team.

“I’m super excited for her,” Northern said. “I think it’s going to be a perfect fit for her. It’s a good program that is top of their conference year after year.”

As a sophomore, Talty led this year’s Golden Valley Conference runners-up with 13.5 points a game, as well as in 3-pointers (28.1 percent) and in rebounding (8 a game).

She also had 37 steals and 50 assists.

But her presence was felt in more ways than that.

“She meant everything to our program,” Northern said. “She was a culture kid, she was a leader for us. She was not only our leading scorer, but our leading rebounder as well. She was getting it done at both ends of the court, and she really helped build that foundation for our program. She will definitely be missed.”

And the CR coach believes the adjustment to a four-year program will be relatively seamless.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Nora,” Northern added. “I definitely think she can go in there and immediately impact their team.”

Talty is one of four CR sophomores graduating from this year’s team, and while the majority of the freshmen are expected back next winter, the graduating players will need to be replaced.

Gossi will help with that, joining the local JC program along with three other new recruits — Alexa Ferreyra from Point Arena, Kinley Sommerville from Lassen, and Cedar Wily from Shelton High in Washington.

Gossi is a multi-sport standout with the Cats and enjoyed plenty of success in soccer, basketball and softball.

On Thursday, she officially committed to CR, signing her letter of intent in front of friends, family and coaches.

And Northern is excited about the latest local recruit.

“I just like how hard she works,” the CR head coach said. “She’s a hustle player and overall an extremely hard worker, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Gossi’s high school basketball coach Chris Ardrey echoed the sentiment.

“Maddi is a great team player,” he said. “She does everything that she was asked to do. She rebounded for us and she had to play some guard some times, and I think she’s grown and gotten better, and that’s just a testament to her hard work.”

Gossi’s exact role with her new team has to be determined, but Northern believes she can fit in well as a guard/forward at the JC level.

And the CR coach believes she will be an excellent addition for other reasons as well.

“I’m just excited to have her on our team,” she said. “She’s a great kid.”

Big things are also expected out of Ferreyra, Sommerville and Wily.

Ferreyra was a team captain in her senior year with the Pirates and averaged 12.8 points a game this past winter.

“She’ll definitely be shooting the ball for us,” Northern said. “She’s another hustle player and she’s really active on offense and defense.”

Sommerville averaged 8 points, 4.7 rebounds and team-best 2.7 assists as a senior with the Grizzlies.

Nora Talty in action for CR.

“Again, she’s an active player on the court and she’s an extremely hard worker,” Northern said of the standout guard. “And she does the work not everybody wants to do, and she’s a great athlete.”

Wily, meanwhile, led the Shelton Highclimbers in scoring (19.7 a game) and rebounds (7.7) and the post player will be expected to have an impact at the JC level.

And her presence could be felt in more ways than one.

“She’s very strong,” Northern said. “Once she gets the ball inside, she can make a post move and she can finish.

“She’s going to be a threat, not only inside, but outside as well.”