Tessa Wilka

[Rabbitlivinginverm]

Looks like NDSU got another one:

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs...PORTS/60824036

Tessa Wilka to sign with North Dakota State
From staff reports
August 24, 2006



Tessa Wilka, who will be a senior at O'Gorman this year, has verbally committed to play basketball at North Dakota State University.

Wilka, an excellent ballhandler and passer, led the Knights to the state Class AA finals as a junior last season.

She averaged 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists a game while shooting 44 percent on 2-pointers, 33 percent on 3-pointers and 76 percent on free throws.

Wilka and Jenny Miller each made 43 3-pointers in 2005-06 to set a school record.

North Dakota State, an independent Division I school, had a 9-17 record last season.

[NoDakSt]

Thanks for the update, Rabbitliving....

Tessa is a 6'0" guard. *

O'Gorman's website: http://www.sfcss.org/OGHS/OGHSmain.htm

Wilka also competes for the Minnesota Stars AAU the same organization that Megan Shea and Amy Kellemeyn play for.

[NoDakSt]

Here's a link to an entertaining 6 page thread on Ms. Wilka. It's a message board so ya probably need to omit the extreme pro and con aspects and read the middle. I wonder if we sometimes sound like this.

http://www.argusleaderonline.com/for...ead.php?t=3708

[sambini]

Thanks Rabbit for the link.

[NoDakSt]

Another article on Wilka who was named to first team "AA" in South Dakota.

http://www.plainsman.com/main.php/se...?story_id=8560

[NoDakSt]

Link to Forum article on 2007 verbals.



http://www.in-forum.com/Sports/articles/137618

[mebison]

Here's a link to an entertaining 6 page thread on Ms. Wilka. *It's a message board so ya probably need to omit the extreme pro and con aspects and read the middle. *I wonder if we sometimes sound like this. *

http://www.argusleaderonline.com/for...ead.php?t=3708

I think I'm too soft for the hard-core sports fan set...just doesn't seem appropriate to me to be making comments about how "horrible" at basketball a girl just out of sophomore year (the first messages were 2005) is because she's not dominating some tournament. A 16 y.o. girl (or guy, for that matter) has got enough other crap to worry about without a random stranger insulting her on a message board. :-/

[SDSUHuskies]

I've seen Tessa Wilka play plenty of times..she is one of the best, if not the best player since Megan Mahoney played at Kansas State...if you thought Lacey Johnson (Wess. Springs, SD) was good, you are in for a treat with Wilka..I see her making an immediate impact with your program..maybe not starting, but definitely coming off the bench. That is my personal opinion..

[NoDakSt]

Thanks for the info, SDSUHuskies...for me, a Bison fan outside of the tri-state area, I appreciate your reporting.

Mahoney, huh? She's currently playing in the W. She was spectacular during her four years in Manhattan so if Wilka is anywhere near this talent, I'm pleased. *If I'm correct, I think Mahoney played point for KSU and she was 6'0". *That's Wilka's position now at high school...is her skillset similar enough where she might play this in Fargo? Or will she be a two guard? With Wilka, Walseth, Samuelson, and Shea all being 6'0" or taller, NDSU could have some height in the backcourt.

Aaron and Amy are both pulling in some great recruits to their program. *Interesting to see their philosophies: Aaron is going the high school route to build his team while Amy is bringing in quite a few transfers. *It will be interesting to see how this works out for both programs. *Both coaching staffs seem to have strong connections to various AAU programs and I think these programs are taking off for kids in Minnesota, ND, and SD.

[mikelsch]

I don't think coach Ruley prefers to bring in transfers, but has been more of a necessity lately because of injuries, kids transfering out, and the need to compete right now rather than wait a couple years for kids to develop. *Although when good players want to come back to the area (Samuelson and Walseth), it is nice to bring them in.

Sounds like coach Ruley is putting together a strong team which should improve upon last year's down season.