2017 Recruits

[Row6Seat10]

The first of September was the first time coaches could start calling the 2017 recruits that they have had their eyes on. Thus the Nebraska 2017 recruiting big board has been in the works for sometime now. The Huskers are or in some cases were in on some big time recruits which Shimmy Gray Miller had been in contact with. Since she left and went to Florida, we have gained a new recruiting co-ordinator in Brittany Brown and some of the previous contacts may have faded as we move forward. Coach Brown's influence seems to be in the south, primarily in Texas. Ashley Ford with some good contacts on the west coast takes over for Dayna Finch and Amy Stephens has B1G country and the southeast.

 

The 2017 Husker women’s basketball recruiting picture looks as if the Huskers are in on a lot of players nationwide and locally as well. Although the 2016 class is yet to be filled out, there are plenty of 2017 kids who the Huskers have been looking at and some have been offered scholarships. The following list is a collection of 2017 recruits that the Huskers have been known to be recruiting or have shown some interest in having them join the Big Red. The following names are what we have so far. Necessary changes in the list will be made when the time warrants. Everyone is encouraged to participate as the list grows.

 

4-12-16 Update: changes will be made to the Big Board accordingly when news arrives on the new coaching staff in their nationwide quest for future Huskers.

 

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   Taylor Kissinger (2017)

 

A 6’ 4 star wing from Minden High School in Minden NE. Averaged 25.6 points and 10 rebounds per game her sophomore year. Named 2^nd team Super State as a sophomore. Invited to the 2015 USA Basketball  Women's U16 National trials in May at Colorado Springs and survived until the final cut. Her final list includes Nebraska, Iowa State, Iowa, Oklahoma St and Creighton. She intends to wait until this summer before making her choice.

 

ESPN says this about Taylor: Agile off-guard with a scorer's mentality; range with smooth stroke on jumper beyond the arc; scores in uptempo, executes in half-court.

 

ProspectsNation has this: Taylor Kissinger of Minden, Neb., is in position to see her stock rise with the quality showing here (Colorado Springs). The class of 2017 forward is as big as any prospect in this group with a polished skill set to match. Committed to the Huskers 7-19-16

 

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   Madison Piper (2017)

 

5’11 3 Star wing out of Lawrence Freestate High School in Lawrence, KS. Averaged 17.2 points per game last season. Selected to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association 6A All State class 1^st team as a sophomore and junior. Daughter of KU basketball player Chris Piper of the 1988 championship team. No offers to report but she’s garnering major interest from  Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma St, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri St, Tulsa, Creighton and the list goes on.

 

ESPN says she’s a fundamentally skilled perimeter performer with deceptive quickness, consistent offensive game; utilizes screens, knocks down jump shots with regularity. Committed to Santa Clara 10-5-16

 

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   Lexie Gordon (2017)

 

6'0” 4 Star wing from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst, TX. A Coach Brittany B contact, averaged 23 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game, and holds a personal record with 57 three-point shots made last season. Ranked as the 39^th best prospect and 6^th best wing in the 17’ class by Hoopgurlz. Lots of schools recruiting her, Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma St, Baylor, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ohio St, Maryland, TCU plus many more. Will be hard to get her out of Texas.

 

Announced her final four in late January, Baylor, UConn, Texas and TCU

 

ESPN says the athletic perimeter prospect handles and attacks in transition; triple-threat creator drives, scores in traffic; emerging mid-range game with soft touch; active on glass with length on perimeter.

 

Premier Basketball Report says “Lexi Gordon is a natural scoring wing whose all-around game separates her from the rest. Lexi is a skyrocketing prospect in the 2017 class.” Committed to UConn 2-19-16

 

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   Evina Westbrook (2017)

 

6’ 5 Star wing hailing from South Salem High School in Salem, Oregon.Averaged 16.7 points per game shooting 48% from the field. Ranked as Hoopgurlz 7^th best overall recruit in the 17’ class.  Visited Nebraka last November, former assistant Shimmy Gray-Miller had established a relationship with her. Her stock has risen exponentially this summer and she's receiving many looks from top name schools and basically will have her pick of where she wants to play when it comes time to make a decision. Cut her list of schools down to 9 on April 28th. Louisville, Maryland, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC and Washington.

 

ESPN says, she’s an athletic and versatile perimeter performer manufactures, handles, attacks; smooth off the dribble, finishes in traffic, draws contact, delivers at the charity stripe; an elite perimeter prospect in the class of 2017.

 

Prospectsnation says she has shown that she can be a disruptive force with her length, athleticism and most importantly her smarts and knowing how to defend on the ball. The 6’ perimeter player is also showing more confidence on the offensive end. Her pull-up jumper has become a go-to and complements her ability to get to the rim as well.

 

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  McKenna Haire  (2017)

 

A 5’11” 3-star guard from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, NC. Plays with AAU club NC Spartans. All Star Girls Report ranked her as the 140^th best recruit in the 2017 class last year. Her AAU coach says “she can flat out shoot the basketball, and she can handle it.” Participated in The 2015 USA Basketball Women's U16 National Team Trials. Is garnering interest from schools in the Big 10, ACC and the Pac 12.

 

ESPN Hoopgurlz says: Confident off-guard with a scorer's mentality; consistent off the dribble, utilizes screens effectively, delivers to the arc; smooth stroke on jumper with solid guard skills.

 

Prospectsnation says: she shows a great deal of energy on both sides of the ball. Creates well off the bounce, will post up smaller defenders, and has the size and lateral speed to defend anywhere on the floor. Demonstrates a solid understanding of the game and how to get her teammates involved as well. Committed to Princeton 5/25/16

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   Jinaya Houston (2017)

 

6’1 forward from Davenport North High School in Davenport, IA. Averaged 21.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Arguably the top prospect in Iowa. Has offers from both Iowa St, and Iowa. Lots of schools are joining the chase, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida, Minnesota, Texas Tech, Marquette plus many more.

 

Quote from 5-State Hoops, Already on the radar of many Mid to High Major programs, Houston is blessed with tremendous perimeter skills, including the ability to score as a dual threat with her jumper and off the bounce. Her size and athletic ability make her a tough match, as she can rise up over smaller players, but uses a quick first step and upper body strength to get into the paint against physical wings. Very efficient scorer. She is the defender in the profile picture. Committed to Iowa 11-11-15

 

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    Alexis Johnson (2017)

 

6'1 3-star forward from Kinkaid High School in Houston, TX. Average 13.5 points a game and 5.4 rebounds her sophomore year. Has interest from Ole Miss, Clemson, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Penn State, Indiana.

 

ESPN says: Athletic faceup-4 with emerging offensive game; versatile, exploits mismatches, creates in mid-post game; active on glass, agile in uptempo game.

 

Prospectnations says: Johnson is a forward with length and a motor. She showed exceptional versatility in this camp setting as she hit 3s and also scored versus contact. This rare blend of scoring ability allows her to be a true inside - out threat. She has strong hands with the capability of handling the ball in the open court. If there is an area she could fine tune, it would be to polish up her footwork while working on the low block. Committed to Indiana 10-24-2015

 

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   Deja Church (2017)

 

5'8 Guard, hailing from Southfield Lathrup High School in Detroit MI.  Athletic, college ready frame. At her best attacking the basket from the wing, where she has the ability to break you down off the dribble and then has the strength and athletic abilities to finish strong around the rim. Nebraska offered in the latter part of October. She also has offers from B1G members Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern and Iowa. DePaul. Oklahoma St, Marquette, Eastern Michigan. Sounds as if her interest in Nebraska has waned some since the coaching change. Committed to Minnesota

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  Destiny Harden (2017)

 

5’-11” 4 star-wing hailing from Morgan Park High School in Chicago. The 40^th ranked player in the 2017 class according to Hoopgurlz. And 64^th best in Prospect Nation. Harden is an extremely athletic prospect that can play the one through three positions. She has very good handles and loves to aggressively attack the right side of the basket. Showed a soft touch around the rim and some crafty finishing abilities. Plays with a ton of energy and has a motor that never quits. Has good lateral speed on the defensive end and opposing players had a very difficult time getting by her or shooting over her. Lots of schools interested Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi St, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Syracuse, UCLA plus many more.

 

ESPN says: Versatile perimeter threat with consistent mid-range game; mis-match producer with quick 1st-step attack elevates in key with soft touch; relentless on glass, finishes in traffic, delivers at the charity stripe.

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   Jnaya Walker (2017)

 

6’ 3-star forward from Bolingbrook High School in Bolingbrook IL. Average 7.7 points as a soph. Nebraska starting to show interest along with Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois.  Committed to Illinois 1-14-16

 

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   Myah Selland (2017)

 

6’2 guard from Sandborn Central/Woonsocket High School in Forestburg, SD. Her sophomore season, Selland averaged 21 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. Has both South Dakota and South Dakota St in line to nab her. Lots of schools starting to find out about her, Indiana, Marquette,  Iowa, Creighton and Iowa St, Colorado. Nebraska hopefully is soon to get in line. #44 in her profile picture. Committed  to South Dakota St 4-28-16.

 

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   Carlie Littlefield (2017)

 

5’8 guard from Waukee High School in Waukee IA. Averaged 12 points per game. Shooting 46% from the field. Has an offer from Creighton.Drake, Northern Iowa, South Dakota and Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa St all showing interest.

 

Blue Star recruiting says she’s a good distributor. Stays ahead on D. Good foot work. Very good on ball defender. Crashes for rebounds and looks to push right away. Commited to Princeton 8-5-16

 

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Mikayla Hayes (2017)

 

6’2 power forward out of Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park, MN. Averaged 15 points and just under 10 rebounds per game. Good low post defender. Nebraska showing interest along with Iowa St, Depaul Creighton and South Dakota plus a few others. Committed to Florida 11-12-15

 

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   Bailey Helgren (2017)

 

6’4 center from Edina High School in Edina MN. Missed the first part of her sophomore season with a knee injury. Mobile, athletic and can finish in transition.Visited Nebraska with her family for the Wisconsin game. Ranked as the 7^th best recruit in the MN17’ class. Offers from Wisconsin, Marquette, North Dakota and South Dakota, Many schools showing interest Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma St, Texas Tech, Minnesota. Committed to Kansas 8-20-16

 

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  Lauryn Miller (2017)

 

6’2 4 star forward from Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood MO. As a sophomore, Miller averaged 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 4.0 blocks per game to help Kirkwood to a 23-5 record. Ranked by Prospectsnation as the 16th best prospect. Most likely to have her pick of schools. Most every D1 school within 1000 miles of Kirkwood is recruiting her including Nebraska. Member of the USA U16 national team.

 

ESPN says she’s a lefthanded power prospect who finishes vs. contact; defends out of area; soft touch in midpost game; competes, physical, aggressive in key; produces in the paint.

 

Prospectsnations quote, All forwards need to excel in the face-up game and Miller can do that and score with her back to the basket. Committed to UCLA 8-18-16.

 

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Taylor Chambers (2017)

 

5’5 point guard from Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle WA. Contact made by Shimmy Gray/Miller before she left NU. With the success the Huskers have gotten from the Evergreen State they’re showing a little interest in Chambers. Landed on the 2^nd team All Seattle Metro as a sophomore.

 

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   Taya Corosdale  (2017)

 

6’1 4 Star forward from Bothell High School in Bothell WA. Ranked as the sixth best forward in the country by Hoopgurlz. Corosdale can play drive, play the post, and shoot from outside. She led Bothell in scoring, rebounding, and blocks with 17.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Has a known offers from Oregon & Arizona St. Oregon St, Nebraska, Washington, Georgia,  Florida UCLA and many others are interested.

 

What ESPN says;  Long and agile stretch-4 with versatility; active on glass with length, wingspan; mobile in uptempo, secondary handle in transition; off-the-charts potential. Committed to Oregon St 9/29/16

 

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  Sidney Cooks (2017)

 

6’4 5 star out of St Joesph’s High School in Kenosha WI. One of the best big girls to come out of Wisconsin in a long time has offers from Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan, Michigan St, Wisconsin, Kansas St, Minnesota and DePaul. Is garnering major interest from Notre Dame, Connecticut, Stanford and Louisville. Hoopgurlz has her ranked as the second best forward in the class.

 

ESPN says; Stronger, more physical interior performer with versatility; brings face-up game to 15' complemented by developing back-to-basket game; defensive presence in key.

 

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Taryn Knuth (2017)

 

6’4 forward from Johnston High School in Johnston IA. Averaged 12.6 points per game to go along with 6 rebounds. Has interest from the local D-1 school around Des Moines. Volleyball could be in her future.

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   Shania Pellington  (2017)

 

Nebraska has recently shown interest in Shania Pellington a 5’8 guard out of Pickering, Ontario Canada. Member of the Canadian U16 Cadet National team. Gold Medalist at the FIBA Americas. Member of the Ontario Provincial U17 team. Gold Medalist. Member of SBA U19 OBA team - Gold Medalist Division 1. In the FIBA Americas tournament she played 7 games and averaged 17 minutes per game to go along with 6 ppg, 2 assists and 4.4 rebounds. Committed to Oklahoma 9-19-2016

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Sage Stobbart  (2017)

 

Nebraska along with Wake Forest, Colorado, Virginia Tech, Louisiana Tech and quite a few west coast mid majors are showing interest in Sage Stobbart, the 4 Star 6'2 forward from Seycove High School in North Vancouver BC. Played with the British Columbia Provincial Team  this past summer and attracted quite a bit of Division 1 interest. As usual there isn't much information on Canadian players out there and in this case the same it's no different. From what I can gather she's a fanstastic rebounder.

 

ESPN says this about her: Agile, versatile interior performer executes 2-man game, slips screens, catches and finishes plays with weak hand in traffic; mobile in uptempo game; post up game yields results. And has her rated as the 8th best post in the class. Committed to UC Davis 9/28/16

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The following names are a list of local Nebraska high school girls talent that Nebraska may not necessary be showing much interest in but could be considered to become a walk-on in some cases.

 

Riley Jensen - Fremont - changed her commitment from South Dakota to Nebraska.

Had offers from Wake Forest, Wyoming, South Dakota, Drake, Louisiana Tech, Denver and North Dakota State. She received some interest from Nebraska, Minnesota and Indiana.

 

Skyler Snider - Kearney

Committed to Seton Hall

 

Lauren Shymkewicz - Ralston

Committed to Cal State Northridge.

 

Taytem Coleman - Lincoln Christian

Has an offer from UNO and interest from Illinois

 

Payton Brotzki - Platteview

Has an offer from UNO and interest from Illinois and Creighton.

 

Lauren Rongisch - Millard West - Committed to South Dakota St

 

Quinn Weidemann - Omaha Westside

Has an offer from UNO.

 

Maggie Goltz - Falls City Sacred Heart

Has interest from North Dakota St plus many area NAIA schools.

 

McKenzie Beach - Lincoln Southeast - committed to Doane University

Maddie Kelle - Lincoln Southwest

Katie Brown - GACC signed with Missouri S&T

Grace Barry - Lincoln East - committed to UNK

McKenna Sullivan - Norris

Aspen Jansa - Wahoo - Bishop Neumann - UNO and Drake showing interest

Nigeria Jones - Lincoln Northeast - lots of smaller and mid-major interest.

 

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THIS LIST IS NOT A COMPLETE LISTING OF PLAYERS NEBRASKA MAY BE SHOWING INTEREST IN, NOR DOES IT INDICATE THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE PLAYERS' -- ON OR OFF THIS LIST -- PRIORITIZATION IN NEBRASKA'S RECRUITING PLANS. THIS LIST IS COMPILED USING INFORMATION FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES BOTH PUBLIC AND NON-PUBLIC TO GIVE FANS A SAMPLING OF PLAYERS WHO MIGHT BE GRACING THE COURT AT PINNACLE BANK ARENA IN THE FUTURE. AS A MEDIA SITE, HUSKER HOOPS CENTRAL HAS NO INFLUENCE IN THE RECRUITING DECISIONS OF THE NEBRASKA COACHING STAFF, AND INCLUSION ON OR OMISSION FROM THIS LIST IS AT THE COMPLETE DISCRETION OF HUSKER HOOPS CENTRAL.

[huskerchode]

I know that Grace Barry committed to UNK within the past few weeks.

[Bugeaters1]

Do you think that the Kissinger girl will follow her sis to Illinois?

[whoopdeedoo]

just glancing at this list, i am hoping nebraska is getting consideration from Kissinger, Piper, Selland, Miller, and/or Cooks. 

 

just going on a hunch, i think if Cooks doesn't go with UW, she will pick UConn, ND, possibly Stanford. getting her to Nebraska would be a real coup! i would be surprised if Selland doesn't pick one of the SD schools. also think it would be difficult to pull out the Iowa gals. Helgren out of Minnesota would be interesting---depending on what Stollings shows in the near future, she may be willing to leave Minnesota, tho it seems like Minny gals have an attraction to Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and OSU. 

 

i would say the odds of pulling Gordon out of Texas or surrounding area, and the ones from out west may be slim. just going from the comments.

 

Cooks is the one that really makes me "drool", tho. 

 

anyway, it's all a long ways off. who knows. 

 

Great info tho! Thanks to Row6Seat10!

[Row6Seat10]

Husker targets, Lauryn Miller and Lexi Gordon both made an unofficial visits to Missouri last weekend.

 

“I want to go somewhere where I can be a trailblazer and I can help do something that hasn’t been done at that program,” Miller said, in describing the key aspect she’s looking for in a school.

 

http://www.columbiatribune.com/sports/mu/mu-hosts-blue-chip-women-s-basketball-recruits/article_2f3c592c-07e4-5ffd-b9e6-c841f59d70de.html

[Row6Seat10]

The first to come off our 2017 big board happened this afternoon as Alexis Johnson from Houston TX commits to Indiana.

http://indiana.247sports.com/Article/Williams-takes-both-three-point-and-dunk-contest-crowns-40537789

[whoopdeedoo]

 

"Johnson told Inside Indiana earlier this week that she liked just about everything about Indiana, from the academics to the apparel."

 

 

 "the apparel"?!?      

well, i guess if that's important to ya.     (stated somewhat tongue-in-cheek)

[Bugeaters1]

What are the chances that Taylor Kissinger goes to Illinois ?

[NEBFAN]

I don't think Nebraska is recruiting Walker any longer as her Big 10 favorites are Wisconsin and Indiana.  Nebraska is not missing out on this one and would be better served to put that scholarship to use on another recruit.

 

Cooks is solid but ranked a lot higher than she should be.

[Row6Seat10]

Two came off our big board yesterday. Jinaya Houston commits to Iowa and Makayla Hayes commits to Florida.

[huskerchode]

Any updates on offers or players NU has shown interest in?  Maybe not just 2017 but also 2018.

[redsteve]

Any updates on offers or players NU has shown interest in?  Maybe not just 2017 but also 2018.

 

With all the guards/wings in this 2016 class...hope we go after more bigs (4 & 5 spots) in the coming couple of years. 

 

Kissenger maybe the number one because she's a Nebraska girl.

 

Recruits need to be shooters. But everyone wants the ones that can ring up the scoreboard.

 

Think how strong we could be with another post like Rachel 43 ?

[huskerchode]

I think Kissinger is a great shooter, but I worry about her foot speed, and because of that, her ability to defend. 

[HUD]

For the 2017 season we will only have three posts with Shepard, Blackburn and Washington.  I would assume that if no one leaves we will use both our available scholarships at that time on posts.

[Row6Seat10]

Minden's Taylor Kissinger broke the wrist on her shooting hand in practice this past week and will be sidelined for an extended period of time. Not sure how long she'll be down or the extent of the injury. But the way it sounds she still plans on playing later in the season.

[Bugeaters1]

Minden's Taylor Kissinger broke the wrist on her shooting hand in practice this past week and will be sidelined for an extended period of time. Not sure how long she'll be down or the extent of the injury. But the way it sounds she still plans on playing later in the season.

I have broken my wrist, and it was a six week ordeal. And it took about a year for it to quit hurting. But I'm an old fart so our bones heal slower I guess. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00412

This is why coaches tell players not to try and break their falls.

[Row6Seat10]

Every year since 1997 the Nike Tournament of Champions is held just before Christmas. This year it's in Gilbert AZ. and there are 90 teams participating from all across the US mostly California. Every team is guaranteed to play 4 games.

 

Fremont High School here in Nebraska is the only Nebraska school to attend. They lost their opening round game Friday to Sacramento High School in Calif. and won the second game yesterday against St Anthony's of California. They now face Clovis West High out of Fresno tomorrow.

 

Husker recruit Mi'Cole Cayton from St Mary's High School in Stockton CA is also in this tournament they have won both of their first and second round games.

 

This is a great time for recruiters to be in attendance from all across the country. Nebraska has sent Brittany Brown down there to try to persuade some young ones to get interested in NU.

 

 

[huskerchode]

Was St. Mary's the one that upset Mater Dei?

[Row6Seat10]

Was St. Mary's the one that upset Mater Dei?

No, it was Our Lady Good Counsel High School from Maryland.

[HUD]

We are probably looking at two Posts/Forwards for the 2017 class.  Pretty well stocked elsewhere else.

[redsteve]

Anything new on Kissinger ? She seems to have been at several NU games this year. Pretty sure she was here with her parents recently.

 

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Where are we on the scholarship chart?  Do we have 12 or 13 on scholarship this year. Ostrander isn't counted is she (volleyball schooly)?

 

We'll loose Rachel T, Kyndal, and Kalenta....and Ostrander

 

We'll be able to take as many as 4 for 2017....as long as no one else transfers....correct?

[Bugeaters1]

Anything new on Kissinger ? She seems to have been at several NU games this year. Pretty sure she was here with her parents recently.

 

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Where are we on the scholarship chart?  Do we have 12 or 13 on scholarship this year. Ostrander isn't counted is she (volleyball schooly)?

 

We'll loose Rachel T, Kyndal, and Kalenta....and Ostrander

 

We'll be able to take as many as 4 for 2017....as long as no one else transfers....correct?

O is not on volly schooly

[HUD]

WBB gets 14 Scholarships.  We presently have 13 filled leaving one open.  The four seniors Theriot,Clark,Kalenta and Ostrander are all on scholarship.  So for 2016 we have 5 available but have signed a class of 5.  Assuming no one leaves we will be at max 14.  For 2017 both Havers and Ramacieri are done so that leaves 2 openings which will be probably used for a couple of bigs as we will be down to 3 then.

[huskerchode]

So, Sidney Cooks and Lauryn Miller for 2017? Think we have a chance?

[HUD]

By then Shepard and Blackburn will be juniors and probably well established in the starting line up.  That may cause some recruits to look elsewhere but if we could get one of their caliber plus another 3 star steal like Blackburn we would be set for years.