Montini’s Sara Ross picks IUPUI for basketball

Sara Ross, always a player who teased her talent potential, showed what she’s capable of this summer.

Now she has her future decided, too.

Ross, who will be a senior at Montini, committed this week to IUPUI for women’s basketball. Ross chose the school based in Indianapolis over offers from Northern Illinois, Toledo, UIC, Kent State and Wright State.

Broncos coach Jason Nichols heaped high praise on Ross’ play this summer for Montini and the Lady Lightning AAU team.

“She played hard and she played energized,” Nichols said. “If she does for us what she did in June and July, she’s going to have a big year.”

Ross, a starter as a sophomore and junior, averaged 6.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists last year for Montini, which finished 35-2 and third place in Class 3A. An athletic wing, Ross is one who Nichols has consistently pushed for more from.

“I’ve been one of her biggest critics, because I felt like she had more in the tank. She always leaves you as a coach wanting more,” Nichols said. “But she had a huge summer.”

Ross is the second area player from the Lady Lightning program to commit to IUPUI. Nevena Markovic, from Glenbard South, will be a junior in Indianapolis this year.

IUPUI seems to be a program on the cusp of bigger things.

The program went 20-12 last year under Summit League Coach of the Year Austin Parkinson, its WNIT bid IUPUI’s first postseason appearance since moving up to Division I in the 1998-99 season.

“I think it’s a perfect fit for Sara,” Nichols said. “I think sometimes kids overshoot themselves with that name school. They had a really successful year and are kind of an up-and-coming program. I think she’ll help them.”

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