Published: 11/13/2008
Author: Bob_Richards
© Old Gold Free Press Columnists
Versyp signs three; class ranked 13thPurdue announced on Wednesday the receipt of three signed letters of intent from 6'2 forward Sam Ostarello, 6'0 power forward Ashley Wilson, and 5'7 Michaela "K.K." Houser. A sigh of relief on several fronts. Houser brings the kind of quality point guard that will help fill the void left in two years by Malone. Wilson brings a power rebounder to the team to help Danielle Campbell in the paint upon the graduation of Wisdom-Hylton. And the signing of Sam Ostarello finally takes the legs out from under the "South Dakota will steal Sam away from Purdue" rumors.
All-Star Collegiate Girls Basketball Report has ranked Versyp's latest haul the 13th-best class.
The last potential piece of the class will announce her decision on Friday. Despite some lists including Purdue on her final list with Old Dominion and Dayton, point guard Carolann Cloutier of Montreal was said today in the Dayton Daily News as being down to Old Dominion, Dayton and Temple. And by my count, Dayton is out of scholarships unless they plan to lose more than two players at the end of this year. That is assuming the verbally committed Olivia Applewhite signs and takes the last of three available Flyers scholarships.
Below is a series of articles on signing day.
READ MORE: Purdue SID
READ MORE: Journal and Courier
READ MORE: Purdue Exponent
READ MORE: Chicago Tribune
Sophomore offered
Liz Stratman, a 6'2 sophomore from Heritage Christian (IN) who visited with Purdue-bound sophomore Torri Thornton this fall, was offered a scholarship by the coaching staff while on campus. Stratman visited last spring for the Michigan State game, and unlike that February visit where she reportedly did not get any time to talk to Coach Versyp, the latest provided ample opportunity to meet a variety of the Purdue staff. Stratman was plugged into the already loaded Heritage Christian team as a freshman, and went on to lead the team in scoring. As a freshman, she averaged 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting .538 from the field and .750 from the line for the 2008 IHSAA Class 2A state champs.
Houser player profile now up
K.K. Houser's profile is now up, including her 2008-09 high school schedule. Make sure to check out the photot site linked under Houser's profile in the "Photos" section. Ostarello's profile is next, and schedules will be added soon for all the committed players.
READ MORE: Player Profile: K.K. Houser
Big Ten Recruiting
Iowa has gained three commitments from class of 2009 players in the past week.
Theairra Taylor, a 5'11 guard from St. Paul (MN) Central, chose the Hawkeyes over Minnesota and Pittsburgh. Taylor averaged 14 points as a junior, helping St. Paul Central to their second straight Class 4A state title. She is ranked No. 94 by Hoopgulz.
Morgan Johnson, a 6'5 center from Platte City (MO), picked Iowa over Creighton, Drake, Missouri State and San Diego. The two-time all-state player owns the Platte County High School record for career points (1,331), rebounds (864) and blocks (281), single-season scoring (502), blocks (113) and free throws made (107) and single-game scoring (33) and free throws made (16). Johnson was also named academic all-state as a sophomore and junior.
Iowa also added forward Gabby Machado from Pontiac Northern High (MI). The 6'0 rebounder averaged 23 points, 14 rebounds and three assists as a junior, and already holds the school's career rebound record (1,106).
All three signed Wednesday with Iowa, along with 5'11 guard Jamie Printy, who has been committed to Iowa since her freshman year.
READ MORE: Big Ten Recruiting: Commitments
Share