Published: 2/27/2008
Author: Bob_Richards
© Old Gold Free Press Columnists
Prospects visitPurdue's Sunday win over Michigan State brought in a handful of prospects to Mackey, and Sunday was the first time we have recognized an eighth-grader on an unofficial. Incoming Purdue recruits Brittany Rayburn and Alex Guyton represented the class of 2008. Ben Davis guard Alex Bentley represented the junior class, on her third unofficial visit that we know of. Sophomores visiting included Ben Davis guard/forward Dee Dee Williams and Washington (Ind.) forward Liz Horton. Two Fort Wayne freshmen were behind the bench, 6'2 Fort Wayne Elmhurst forward Liza Clemons and 5'5 teammate Lacia Gorman. Heritage Christian 6'2 freshman center Liz Stratman and 5'0 eighth-grade guard Brittany Webb rounded out the group of players we could identify. Webb will join the Heritage Christian varsity team next season, and her early reputation suggests she could make an impact similar to the one Stratman made when she joined the Eagles as a freshman this season.
Mike Carmin of the Journal and Courier also suggested Oregon-Davis (Ind.) sophomore guard Gabrielle Minix visited, but we did not see her and cannot confirm nor deny her presence on Sunday.
Coaches scout Bentley again
The Purdue coaches were spotted at the Southport Regional two weekends ago keeping an eye on Alex Bentley. Ben Davis went down to Carmel in the regional final game. No. 1 Ben Davis beat No. 6 North Central 57-38 in the opening game of the regional, and then fell to No. 5 Carmel 56-45 in the final.
Diggins four points from scoring title
Skylar Diggins currently sits as the state's top scorer with an average of 29.68 points per game, a point ahead of Brittany Rayburn currently No. 2 with 25.68 points per game. Rayburn's shot at the title will disappear once Diggins scores her fourth point in the IHSAA Class 4A title game on Saturday against Carmel.
Purdue volleyball recruit Tiffany Fisher finished as the state's fourth-leading scorer with and average of 23.86 points. She also finished ninth in rebounds with 11.38 per game and second in the state in blocked shots with 4.76 per game.
Rayburn also finished 9th in steals with a 4.52 average, Ben Davis junior Alex Bentley ended up 87th in scoring with 15.1 points, Washington sophomore Liz Horton was 24th in rebounding at 10.32 per game, Oak Hill sophomore Courtney Moses was 11th in assists with 6.0 per game and 23rd in field goal percentage at 0.611, and Fort Wayne Elmhurst freshman Liza Clemons was 5th in blocks with 3.9 per game.
BrittanyRayburn5.com
Brittany Rayburn has a website profiling her career at www.brittanyrayburn5.com. The site has a large collection of quotes from coaches around the state, career stats, and some interesting pictures of a young Rayburn getting autographs from Stephanie White and Ukari Figgs.
Big Ten Recruiting
Illinois received some help for their incoming 2008-09 freshman class from senior forward Teandrea Smith of East St. Louis. Smith averages 17.3 points, 16.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.1 steals and 4.3 blocks. The Illini coaches have indicated Smith will be used as either a small forward or off-guard in college.
READ MORE: Big Ten Recruiting: Commitments
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