We mentioned a couple days ago that Purdue was on the very early interest list of sophomore Kayla Pedersen of Arizona. We received word that Purdue has not returned the interest as of this time. Virginia and Arizona are the two new programs to offer her a scholarship, added to a list that already included Stanford, Vanderbilt, USC, and Arizona State. Tennessee is now showing interest, and Kayla is due to sit down and call some of the programs that have expressed an interest in her. Big Ten members Ohio State and Illinois are two programs showing interest, along with Notre Dame.

The Pederson family is originally from Michigan.

Ashley Walker to Cal

Several years ago, we got word that an unheralded California player had Purdue on her wish list. That player was 6'0 forward Ashley Walker of Modesto. Despite following her progress over the past few years, occassionally checking in with her to see how her recruitment was going, Purdue never showed any actual interest in return.

Walker turned out to be a good one, signing with Cal yesterday as part of a recruiting class rated No. 6 in the nation according to Blue Star before Walker's addition to the class.

"Ashley is a prolific scorer," Golden Bears' head coach Caren Horstmeyer said of Walker. "She is a little bit of an undersized post, but she can score over bigger posts. She's one of the best shot blockers that I've ever seen."

Walker averaged 22 points and 16 rebounds, and was rated by All Star Girls Reports at No. 48 among the class of 2005. She also grew to be 6'3.

But three years ago, Ashley was expressing an interest in going away for college, as far as Big Ten member Purdue. When it came down to it, home was a factor in Cal signing her. She trimmed her list to Georgia Tech and Cal, before deciding not to move away from California for college.

Penn State gets a post player

Sometime over the past month, 6'2 Rashida Mark committed to Penn State, but news only filtered out here to the midwest at the end of last week. But the commitment probably happened mid-October, maybe earlier. Regardless of the timing, the center/forward from Brooklyn (NY) has been added to the Penn State incoming 2004-05 class that also includes 6'0 forward Courtney Molinaro, 5'8 guard Mashea Williams, and 5'7 point guard Brianna O'Rourke. Williams and O'Rourke officially signed on Wednesday.

Penn State remains in a battle with Purdue for 6'4 post Danielle Campbell of Chicago Whitney Young. Campbell is expected to make her decision known today, according to sources. The family has not felt any pressure to make a decision, but Campbell plans to sign during the early period.