WBB recruit

[JayDO]

MC McGrory

Edina, MN

Guard

CLASS: 2013

One of 2 guards that will sign with Creighton next week.

[JayDO]

October 08, 2012 6:00 pm • By KIRK HARDCASTLE

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MASON CITY — Myah Mellman has had a goal for a long time to play NCAA Division One basketball.

The Mason City junior sharpshooter is one step closer to that dream.

Mellman verbally committed to Creighton University of the Missouri Valley Conference last Friday.

“College coaches started coming to our (All-Iowa Attack) games in sixth and seventh grade in the summer,” Mellman said while on her way to AIA practice in Ames Monday evening. “Then more and more coaches started to come to watch. I’ve had the passion and dream ever since then.”

Mellman, a 5-foot-7 guard, said she also considered Drake, Iowa and Illinois State. Mellman said she made unofficial visits to Iowa and Drake.

Mellman had an unofficial visit to Creighton on Friday and committed to the Bluejays before she headed for home.

“The basketball fit was one of the biggest things,” she said. “I’ll be surrounded by great players that will make me better and hopefully I’ll be able to make them better.

“Also, I really loved the coaching staff and Creighton is one of the top academic schools in the Midwest.”

Mason City coach Curt Klaahsen said the Bluejays are getting an outstanding player in Mellman.

“I’m very excited for her,” Klaahsen said. “I’m proud that she’s getting this opportunity after all the time she has put in.

“It’s a highly-respected academic school and a very good basketball program. It’s a really good fit for her.”

Mellman said she wanted to stay close to home so most of schools she considered were in the Midwest.

“I still want to be surrounded by my family and the Attack program,” she said. “They have all helped getting me were I am today. I definitely want to stay close to them and keep them in my life.”

Mellman, who has started at Mason City since her freshman season, has been an integral part of leading the Mohawks to back-to-back Class 4A state tournament appearances.

Mellman averaged 12.5 points per game a year ago, which was second on the team behind Jadda Buckley, who averaged 14.6 points per game.

Mellman shot 49.1 percent (53 of 108) from 3-point range during her sophomore season.

The almost 50 percent clip from beyond the arc ranked first in Class 4A with players attempting at least 75 3-point goals. Dubuque Senior sophomore Katie Sommer ranked second with a percentage of 48.1 (37 of 77).

“Obviously, offensively she’s just a great shooter,” Klaahsen said. “She shot just under 50 percent for 3s, which is a school record.

“She has the ability to play point guard and can shoot the ball from the wing. She’s very unselfish and a vocal player from a communication standpoint.”

With the verbal commitment out of the way, Mellman says she’s looking forward to her junior season.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “We’re going to have a successful season.

“We’re going to start stronger and end even stronger.”

Last season, Buckley verbally committed to Iowa State before the start of her junior season.

Klaahsen said it can beneficial to commit early.

“If you know that it’s the right decision, it’s good to get it done soon,” he said. “It’s good for them and it’s good for the school.

“The college can move on to recruiting somebody else, too. I’ve talked to both of them and they’re both focused on bringing home a big trophy to Mason City.”