NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball program received National Letters of Intent from five high school seniors Wednesday.
The class includes: Anya Brooks (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South HS), Mary Crompton (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City Regina HS), Ally Gietzel (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac HS), Lexy Koudelka (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada HS) and Kayel Newland (Liberty, Mo./Liberty HS).
"Our staff is absolutely thrilled about our 2018 recruiting class," said head coach Kristen Gillespie. "We are adding five high-caliber student-athletes who are excited to help lay the foundation of what is to come for Illinois State women's basketball. All five young women excel on the court, in the classroom and are outstanding leaders in their communities. Each one fills an immediate need for our program."
The newest Redbirds are (listed alphabetically):
Anya Brooks | Power Forward/Center | 6-2 | Plainfield, Ill. | Plainfield South HS
Brooks is the first female athlete in Plainfield South history to sign with a NCAA Division I team. She has tied the school record for most points in a game with 31, is currently second in the record books for career rebounds, and has surpassed the top position for most rebounds in a game. Brooks was also named to the State Farm Classic All-Tournament team in 2015.
Gillespie on Brooks: "Anya is one of the most athletic posts in the 2018 class. She has physical gifts that you simply cannot teach. Redbird fans will see a fierce competitor who will defend and rebound. I think Anya's ceiling on the offensive end is extremely high and I really believe she will develop into a threat on both ends of the court."
Tom Hohenadel (Illinois Elite): "Anya Brooks is an impressive combination of basketball talent, high character and strong values. She is a gifted athlete and has limitless potential. Illinois State has a good one in Anya! Illinois Elite is proud to call the Brooks' a part of our family and we are also proud of former members Morgan VanHyfte and Megan Talbot."
Mary Crompton | Shooting Guard | 5-8 | Iowa City, Iowa | Iowa City Regina HS
Crompton was a two-time River Valley Conference All-Elite Team selection, and was named Coaches Association All-District as a freshman. She was also a two-time Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and two-time Iowa Newspaper Association Class 2A First-Team All-State. Crompton led Regina High School to a 51-2 record over the past two seasons and recorded a 3-point shooting percentage of 46.3. In 2016, she was named to the Class 2A State All-Tournament Team, also receiving Coaches Association All-State and Iowa Newspaper Association All-State honors.
Gillespie on Crompton: "Mary is one of the best shooters in the country. The thing I love most about her is that she has made herself into the player she is today. It is rare when you find a young person that will not only take, -but make- hundreds of shots every day. That is Mary Crompton. She will stretch the floor for us with her ability to flat-out shoot the ball."
Dickson Jensen (All Iowa Attack): "Mary is an outstanding shooter who has a very high basketball IQ. She is a player who understands the game, loves to play the game and loves to win. Mary Crompton is a very high-character young lady. She cares about her teammates, family, community and every activity she is involved in. She will have a huge impact on Illinois State University in many ways."
Ally Gietzel | Guard | 5-10 | Fond du Lac, Wisc. | Fond du Lac HS
Gietzel is an ESPN 3 Star Recruit. In 2016-17, she was named First-Team All-FVA, HM All-State and led her conference in points per game (19.8). In the 2015-16 season Gietzel earned FVA Player of the Year, all-state honors and led the conference with 17.7 points per game. Gietzel excelled on the track as well, qualifying for state in the 400m, Long Jump, 4x400 and the 4x800. She was also a two-time state qualifier and was named all-state as a freshman.
Gillespie on Gietzel: "Ally is a phenomenal athlete that can play all three guard spots. She impacts the game on both ends of the floor. She has great length on the defensive end and can score in a variety of ways. She is an unselfish player that will do whatever is needed for her team to be successful."
Nicholas Levy (Wisconsin Flight): "Ally has been one of the most constant producers in the class of 2018. She's difficult to guard because she can shoot it from deep, knock down a midrange jumper and get to the rim. Her length, quickness and athleticism allow her to make plays on both sides of the court as she has developed into an elite defender. Ally is a true leader – she wants everyone around her to win and to be successful."
Lexy Koudelka | Power Forward/Center | 6-1 | Nevada, Iowa | Nevada HS
Koudelka is ranked No. 75 in the 2018 class by ESPN HoopGurlz. She is listed as the 14th best center and ranked No. 72 overall by Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. Koudelka has a long list of accolades, including Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and Iowa Newspaper Association First-Team 3A All-State. She was also named Iowa Newspaper Association 4A First Team All-State.
Gillespie on Koudelka: "I am not sure that there is a better culture builder than Lexy Koudelka. Lexy is not only a tremendous player, but she is an even better person. She has only started to scratch the surface on what she can do on the floor. She will be a force to be reckoned with in the paint and has the ability to step outside and knock down the three."
Dickson Jensen (All Iowa Attack): "Lexy is a player that will do whatever is asked of her to make her team better. She is happy for all her teammates and encourages them to always be their best. She will be a role-player or step up and be the "go-to" girl. Lexy has demonstrated all of those traits to me plus many more that the fans of Illinois State are going to enjoy."
Kayel Newland | Guard | 6-0 | Kansas City, Mo. | Liberty HS
Newland is a two-time all-conference and all-district player, four-time all-tournament team selection and Courier Tribune Player of the Year. She is also two 3-pointers away from securing a school record.
Gillespie on Newland: "Kayel Newland is a scorer! She will be a tough match up with her ability to play the one through four positions. She is an extremely gifted passer who can also score the ball in a variety of ways. She is the type of player that wants the ball in her hands when the game is on the line."
Greg Logsdon (Missouri Phenom): "It has been a joy to coach such a hard-worker like Kayel. She is one of the best pure shooters I've coached. Not only is she a great player, but she is also a high-character, academics-first student as well. I cannot wait to see her perform in college and wish her the best of luck!"
