Donahue commits to Drake, Brown to SIU-Edwardsville

Two of the better post players in the area have firmed up their college basketball plans.

Naperville Central senior Emma Donahue has committed to Drake, and Montini senior Tianna Brown will continue her basketball career at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Donahue, a 6-foot-3 center who was Daily Herald All-Area as a sophomore and junior, chose Drake over a host of schools including Bradley, Miami (Ohio), Virginia Tech and Illinois-Chicago. Donahue took part in Drake’s camp in June and committed in July.

“It’s a great fit athletically as well as academically,” said Drew Ondik, Donahue’s AAU coach on the Illinois Rockets. “I’d say of all the schools Drake had shown the most interest.”

Donahue averaged 11.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game last year for the DuPage Valley Conference co-champion and regional champ Redhawks. She also led the area in free-throw shooting last year at 82 percent.

“She has a nice 15-17 foot jumper in,” Ondik said, “and colleges like that versatility. She’s not just a low-block player. She’s good in space, good in transition, has good hands and is a great decision-maker.”

Brown, a rugged 6-footer for two-time defending Class 3A state champion Montini, has played on the Broncos’ varsity team since her freshman year. She started all 37 of Montini’s games last year, averaging 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game for the 36-1 Broncos.

“Her improvement over the last three years has been unbelievable,” Montini coach Jason Nichols said. “She’s a tough, bruising, hard-nosed post player.”

Brown had 9 points and 8 rebounds in the championship game win over Hillcrest and is the lone returning starter for Montini this year.

SIU-Edwardsville moved up to Division I athletics in 2008, joining the Ohio Valley Conference.

“Our offense is going to run through her this year,” Nichols said. “It’s a big burden and I think she’s ready for it. Montini’s been good for Tianna and Tianna’s been good for Montini.”

Benet senior guard Sidney Prasse, a teammate of Donahue’s on the Illinois Rockets and Daily Herald All-Area as a junior, has committed to NAIA St. Xavier University.