Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Tori DePerry, middle, signs her letter of intent on Wednesday with her dad, Jeff DePerry, left, and mom, Tanya Miller, looking on. DePerry will play basketball at Saginaw Valley State University next year.
Shawano senior Tori DePerry fulfilled a goal of hers on Wednesday afternoon, signing a letter of intent to play women’s basketball at Division II Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, Michigan.
DePerry signed her letter of intent in front of family, friends and coaches in the Shawano Community High School library.
“It feels awesome. All of my hard work and dedication has finally paid off in this sport,” said DePerry, who started playing back in first grade. “It’s been crazy because first off I wouldn’t ever dream of playing college basketball, especially on a full ride. In AAU season, I knew I really wanted to work hard to get it (the scholarship) and now the pressure is off so I can go out this season and not have to worry about it.”
After an introduction from athletic director Joel Wondra, Shawano girls basketball coach Ryan Koenig said a few words about DePerry.
Koenig said DePerry has been one of the top players in Shawano girls basketball history and that her effort, skill and dedication to achieving her goal of obtaining a college scholarship is what helped the standout basketball player on her journey.
The path to signing letters of intent is always a unique story for each athlete who earns that privilege. The story on how Saginaw Valley State University became interested in having DePerry join their team came during an unlikely moment on the court last summer.
“I had a lot of DIII interest and NAIA schools too and also a couple other DII (schools),” she said. “But when Saginaw watched me play in my first AAU tournament of the summer, I dove for a loose ball with 10 seconds left and we were down by 30 and they saw something in me. It shows you hard work on the court pays off, people see that.”
“They invited me for a visit and I was like, seven hours away, let’s see how this ride goes,” DePerry added. “I went with my dad (Jeff) and they were welcoming as soon as I got there. It felt like home there … After the tour, they sat me down and told me they wanted to give me a full ride and I said I had a lot to think about now. I committed before July, which is crazy because a lot of people commit after July because it’s the big recruiting month. Everyone was shocked, but I was getting everything that I wanted — I love the campus, I love the coaches, so why not go for it?”
Saginaw Valley State University competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference under the direction of coach Jamie Pewinski.
The Cardinals had a bit of a down year a season ago, finishing just 6-21 overall after losing three key members from a 23-8 team the year before. DePerry said the team is rebuilding, but with her help, should be ready for big things when she steps on the court next year. She is a fan of the team’s offense and loves the fact they play man-to-man defense.
With her next year on the court now finalized, DePerry is locked in on trying to help the Hawks achieve their team goals while also fulfilling some individual goals along the way.
“Team first. We have team goals set and I want to help out as much as I can in my last year. I want to leave it all out on the court,” she said. “Some individual goals would be Bay Conference Player of the Year, I’ve wanted to do that since I was a freshman … I’m really close to 1,000 points, something I also want to achieve … I want to get those goals before (leaving) and leave my mark as a Hawk.”
DePerry helped Shawano open the winter season with a 40-22 win over Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday, scoring 11 points.