TOPEKA – It was an unforgettable summer for Maddie Vickery of Washburn Rural.
The standout basketball player will begin her sophomore year in a few weeks, but over the past few months, Vickery has been traveling across the country to further develop her skills and improve her basketball game.
The 6’1″ forward helped Missouri Phenom EYBL 15U to a major title win in Chicago when Vickery’s AAU team won the Nike Nationals EYBL Championship on July 22. She was a key player in the game with her basket sense and long-range shooting.
“When we got to the group stage in Chicago, we really went all out and wanted to win to get to the final,” Vickery said. “Our chemistry and what we brought together was perfect.”
“Nobody cares anymore”: Meet Silver Lake’s popular student-athlete manager Zane Dietrick
Vickery’s performance on the AAU circuit has catapulted her up the recruiting charts, earning her numerous Division I scholarships. As she headed into summer break, Vickery already had offers from Oklahoma State, Wichita State, Murray State, Denver and Omaha.
This summer, even more programs have recruited Vickery to their respective schools. Arkansas, SMU, Oklahoma, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Harvard and Yale have all offered Vickery a scholarship to play on the AAU tour this summer. The latest scholarship offer for Vickery came from Nebraska last Saturday.
It can be discouraging that so many schools want Vickery to play for them. Vickery is still years away from going to college. The college offers won’t stop, and more schools will be hoping for her signature, but there are great role models right here for the Washburn Rural player.
“It hasn’t been too stressful. It’s just because of my coach Greg and Coach Bordewick, who do such a good job of taking the load off me,” Vickery said. “I don’t worry much and they’re really great about it. It’s amazing because it’s always been my dream, but you just have to keep working and want it more than anyone else.”
Rossville: A look back at the Kansas City Monarchs’ visit 99 years ago for an exhibition
Greg Logsdon is Vickery’s head coach for Missouri Phenom. She credited the coaching staff this summer for developing her defensively and improving her basketball IQ. From drills to game situations, Vickery has challenged Logsdon and the staff and she has welcomed the challenge.
The next challenge comes this winter with Washburn Rural head coach Kevin Bordewick. The Junior Blues reached the Class 6A state championship game last year. Vickery hopes to return, but she knows it will be another journey of hard work and dedication.
“I really want a state championship under my belt and I think we’ll get it next year,” she said. “We’ll work as hard as we can and hopefully it’ll pay off for us.”
Liam Keating covers high school sports for the Topeka Capital-Journal. Send him stats or information at [email protected]
