Yakima Valley College has announced the selection of Lanette Hooper as the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach for the Yaks.

No stranger to the YVC athletic department, Hooper (formerly Crosier) returns to the college after having successfully led the women’s basketball program from 1995-98 and being a standout point guard for the women’s basketball program from 1988-90, helping YVC win the program’s first NWAC Championship in 1990. 

As a YVC student-athlete she played for her father, Ellwood Crosier, whom the court located in Sherar Gymnasium is named after. Additionally, Hooper guided the women’s basketball program to the NWAC East Region championship and an NWAC post-season berth in 1996, while being named the region’s “Coach of the Year.” 

After earning her associate degree from YVC, Hooper went on to play women’s basketball at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks for two seasons and earned her bachelor’s degree in history and elementary education. She has been a substitute teacher for East Valley School District for the past 19 years.

Hooper has stayed involved in the game the last several years, having coached AAU basketball and middle school athletics for East Valley. After taking time away from YVC to focus on raising her family, she’s ready to get back in the college game.

“YVC has been such a special place for me as a player and coach,” said Hooper, “it’s an honor to be given the opportunity to coach here again and I can’t wait to get started!” 

YVC Athletic Director Ray Funk called Hooper the right individual to lead the program forward and build on last year’s success. 

“We are very fortunate to have found someone so familiar with and intimately connected to our women’s basketball program,” said Funk. “We look forward to working with Lanette and seeing where she can take the program in the coming years.”

Hooper replaces Robin Andrea, who served as head coach for the Yaks for three seasons (2021-24). Last year, the Yaks qualified for the NWAC championship tournament, the program’s first appearance since the 2019-20 season. Overall, Andrea’s record was 24-53 including a 14-12 mark in 2023-24.