FARGO -- Most girls basketball followers in Bottineau, N.D., thought Shaunna Knife would be the player most likely to get a Division I scholarship. Turns out it was her less-heralded teammate, who was offered by North Dakota State.
Guard Kelsey Peltier became the second player this summer to verbally commit to the Bison. She joins center Miki Stephenson from Moorhead and both are expected to sign their letters of intent in November.
She'll be the first freshman North Dakota recruit in seven years, with the last forwards Kayla Dahlen and Katie Dahlen from Fargo North in 2003-04. Last year as a junior, the 5-foot-7 Peltier averaged 10.1 points and almost 4 rebounds per game for a team that had a string of three state Class B state championships and a 51-game winning streak snapped in the first round last March by Kenmare.
The star of the team was Knife, who averaged 19.3 points and signed with the University of Mary (N.D.). But Bottineau head coach Mike Forsberg said he thinks Peltier's performance at NDSU summer camps increased her stock.
Still, NDSU's interest was a pleasant surprise.
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"I did not picture that," he said. "She's been one of those kids who have been in the shadow of other players over the years. She probably hasn't gotten the recognition that other girls have had."
Forsberg said Peltier's top two strengths are perimeter shooting and court sense. Her father, Danny Peltier, played at the University of North Dakota for two years and her mother, Candace Peltier, is a former standout high school player and spent several years as an assistant coach.
"It's hard to teach court sense," Forsberg said. "Some kids have it and some kids have it to a point. She's always had it."
