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Blackman basketball's Emily Monson 'fell in love right off the bat' with Purdue, commits

Blackman girls basketball standout Emily Monson had plenty of time to rack up more big offers.

But the 6-foot junior wing "fell in love" with Purdue and couldn't imagine herself playing anywhere else, thus committing to the Boilermakers on Monday.

"I've talked to bigger schools, and I think if I would have waited and posted that I had an offer from Purdue, that it would take off," Monson said. "But I wanted to be part of what they're building there. I really loved it."

Among her other offers were North Alabama, Murray State, Austin Peay, East Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.

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But it only took a couple of visits to Purdue to make up her mind.

"I fell in love right off the bat," Monson said. "The atmosphere and support from the fans is crazy. I went up there a couple of weeks ago when they were playing Indiana, and there were 8,500 there. It was packed."

Blackman's Emily Monson (21) shoots the ball as Oakland's guard Beth Nelson (21) guards her on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at Oakland.
Blackman's Emily Monson (21) shoots the ball as Oakland's guard Beth Nelson (21) guards her on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at Oakland.

Monson was a sophomore starter on last season's Class AAA state title team.

She's averaging over 11 points and four rebounds as a junior for the Lady Blaze (16-0), who are ranked No. 1 in the state in the Associated Press 4A poll. Blackman has won 36 consecutive games.

Monson said that first-year coach and Purdue alum Katie Gearlds was a big reason she didn't hesitate in choosing the Boilermakers.

"Coach (Gearlds) and everybody made it feel like such a home," Monson said. "Everybody says that, but they're very trustworthy and they're trying to create something big, trying to rebuild Purdue back to what it was. She has a great relationship with her players. It's awesome."

Purdue is 12-6 (3-4 in the Big 10) this season after going 7-16 in 2020-21.

Blackman is set to play at 7-4A rival Rockvale on Friday night. The Lady Blaze's game at home against Riverdale on Tuesday was postponed.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: High school girls basketball: Blackman's Emily Monson commits - Purdue