Recruitment Update: June 22nd, 2026

Here are a few athletes that have either recently committed to compete at the next level or they have recently been offered to compete at the next level.   Either way, these players have shown off their skill-set over the years and that has demonstrated that they have what it takes to suit up on the court following high school.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    Vander Weerdt is off the board to D2 - Maryville following her Senior season at SE Polk. This is a STEAL for Maryville in my opinion. Vander Weerdt was on a few D1 radars following her Freshman season of ball prior to her leg injury. Since then she didn't play last high school season and she has just been getting back into things this Spring/Summer AAU season, which has led to a hesitation in interest from some but I think this is a great move by Vander Weerdt in general. She found a place Maryville that feels like home and she is getting money to play a sport while you build up your education. That's a win-win. Now we get to sit back and see how far she can take her Ram's team this Winter as their dominant force in the middle of the paint.     Emma Zabel locked in her first D2 offer this weekend when Upper Iowa stepped up and threw their hat in the ring for her recruitment. Zabel has strung together 3-4 solid years in a row of basketball action. She has seemingly gotten better and more dominant as she has grown, she is still fully dedicated to this game, she is someone that knows how to take direction and translate that into production, and she could continue to get better as she gets older if she continues to work on her weaknesses. This is the best offer that Zabel has at this time but I'm sure it won't be her last. She plays a good game and I'm sure that will be noticed this next month of July as she continues to do her thing on the road.     Maryville (D2) put their name out there again with recent Iowa prospects while offering Julia Van Keuren as recent as last week. Van Keuren is someone that has been talked about by D2 coaching staffs time and time again over the last couple of seasons. I get at least 5 texts a season about Van Keuren and what she might be able to do at the next level. I always say the same thing - this is a prospect at 6'2, who moves quickly down the floor with skill on both sides of the ball. Her base is notable and she knows how to play off of others that may be really talented. That's an important factor, that not everyone can do. All in all, this is a D2 level talent all day long. Maybe even a D1 talent if she can get some good reps at the D2 level before leveling up.     We have never had a chance to speak on Colby Carroll or her ability on the floor over the last few years but that all changes today. Carroll competes for Bishop Heelan out of the Sioux City area and recently she grabbed a D3 offer to compete at Central (Dutch) College following her high school career. Carroll is the type that is willing to do whatever is needed to get the job done. She is an able Guard, that can play and produce in different ways off of the ball. She doesn't need to have the rock in her possession for long periods of time to make something happen and that's important when looking at competing at the next level in any capacity. I expect to hear Carroll's name a good amount this Winter for the Crusaders. They should be 4A favorites to bring home the State Title so I'm sure that Carroll will play some sort of role within that process when everything is said and done.     The D3, NAIA, and Juco offers are starting to pile up for Emma Walkup of Pella High School. Walkup, the 5'7 PG, is naturally talented. She is the type that is really good at creating her own rhythm and then breaking her own rhythm while going at her opponent, whoever that might be. She can also lead by example. She knows where to push the ball and how to get the most out of the teammates around her at any given time. I'm not sure where Walkup will end up but she is going to have several choices. She is on her college "tour" right now, per se, and I'm sure that is going to last until she ends up committing at some point.     You don't usually hear a ton of news out of Woodward and their GBB program but when you do as of late, it's because of Elliette Burkle at the CG position. Burkle does a little bit of everything for her high school program and she has for a few years now. If you need a rebounder, she will sit under and rebound. If you need a scoring threat, she will continuously attempt to score the rock or to get others open around her. If you need someone to lock down on defense, Burkle is your girl. Whenever you have someone like this, you can see the promise they could bring to the next level. They are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful and that's not always the case, even with college players in today's game so that's important from a recruitment perspective.

Here are a few athletes that have either recently committed to compete at the next level or they have recently been offered to compete at the next level.