MENNO -- Morgan Edelman grew up going to the Corn Palace to watch Dakota Wesleyan University basketball games.
Soon, she’ll be gracing the Corn Palace hardwood. The Menno High School standout recently committed to the DWU women’s basketball team, which announced the commitment on Twitter on Sept. 24.
“I just felt like it was the best fit for me to continue my basketball career and education,” said Edelman, who will major in accounting. “I really like their basketball program and the coaches. I also really liked the accounting department when I visited there.”
DWU’s recent run of success stands out to Edelman, but also how they play to yield those results. She likes the in-your-face defense that has become a staple to coach Jason Christensen’s success.
The Tigers have five straight 20-win seasons and ranked third in scoring defense in the Great Plains Athletic Conference last season, allowing 66.3 points per game.
“I think they’re kind of like get up in your face, and I like to do that, too,” said Edelman, who averaged four steals per contest as a junior. “I like to press, and I like to try to get steals. I think that correlates with DWU.”
Edelman can also score the basketball, using her ability to attack the hoop to her advantage. The senior became Menno’s all-time leading scorer last year, as she averaged 23.1 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game. She was named a Class B all-state second-team member in each of the past two seasons.
ADVERTISEMENT
“When I was younger, I liked to score,” Edelman said. “I continued to develop my game as I got older to be able to score at each level.”
Still, she never expected to break a school record, even if she started playing varsity basketball in seventh grade. After a couple of junior varsity games, she became a bench player for the Wolves. By midway through her eighth-grade year, she was in the starting lineup.
“It definitely helped me get a feel for the game and boost my confidence a little bit more,” Edelman said.
As Edelman became a starter, a goal of playing college basketball formed. Goal completed.
She’s glad to have the stress relieved before her senior season, and playing close to home factored into her decision. Soon, her family’s trips to the Corn Palace will become a little more personal.
“That really impacted my decision because I want my family to be able to come to my games,” Edelman said. “I know some people in Menno, they kept telling me, ‘You got to stay close so we can come to some of your games.’ ”
