The long tournament run to the Division III Final Four wasn’t long enough for Brea Tackett.

Realizing how much she loved the game, the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 5-foot-4 senior point guard decided to continue her career and signed a letter-of-intent Friday to play for the Capital Crusaders.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to play college basketball. I had a lot of letters and offers,” said Tackett.

“But after the last game I didn’t want that to be my last game and I didn’t like the feeling. I decided I wanted to keep playing competitive basketball and not play intramurals where no one takes it serious.”

Tackett was all business at Ironton.

A four-year starter for the Lady Fighting Tigers, Tackett helped lead them to the Division III state tournament in March. It was the third time the Lady Tigers have qualified for the state tournament in school history.

Tackett was a first-team All-Southeastern Ohio Athletic League selection as well as first team All-Southeast District in Div. III. She was special mention All-Ohio.

A good long-range shooter who was successful driving to the basket as well, Tackett led Ironton with a 12.5 scoring average. She had 3.0 assists per game and 2.6 steals while shooting 41 percent from the field and 82 percent from the foul line that ranked her among the top 20 in the state.

Tackett said she decided on Capital because of its storied success. Also, she’s expected to step in and play point guard.

“The coach said there is nothing to worry about with playing time. I’m definitely playing. Coach said she hasn’t had a true point guard for a long time,” said Tackett.

Capital is coached by Dixie Jeffers who has won 80 percent of her games since taking over in the 1986-87 season. She is the sixth coach in NCAA Div. III to record 500 or more wins.

The Crusaders were 20-7 last season including 15-3 in winning the OAC.

“I just want to play my freshman year and keep getting better,” said Tackett. “I’d like to be the player of the year, and with coach (Jeffers) I have up there it’s a reachable goal.”

Ironton head coach Doug Graham said Tackett has the ability to succeed at the next level.

“She is a great decision maker on the floor. That’s why she was on the floor for 32 minutes during our tournament run,” said Graham.

“She can shoot and handle the ball and she stays cool, calm and collected. Besides her basketball skills, she has a tremendous support group and she manages her time well for someone her age.”

Tackett plans to major in nursing, but she left the door open to coaching.

“If I have the time on the side for coaching, I’d take it up. I love basketball and I want to stay with it,” said Tackett.

Tackett said support from others has been the key reason she has succeeded.

“I want to thank my family and friends for all their support and God for blessing me with all I have and my team for helping me realize my dreams of making the Final Four,” said Tackett.