Stroud commits to play for Iowa Central

COLUMBUS JUNCTION ? A star player for the Columbus Community girls basketball program has decided to further her career by playing the sport at the next level.

Bailey Stroud signed a letter of intent to play on the Iowa Central team during a ceremony in the Columbus High School gym Tuesday, April 4.

Before choosing Iowa Central, Stroud looked at Mount Mercy and SCC in Keokuk. Stroud says the deciding factor for choosing Iowa Central was simple.

?It was the coaches, really,? she says. ?When I went there, I really loved the campus. The setup was really cool and I love the gym. After meeting the coaches, it was what I was looking for.?

Not only is Stroud joining the program, Coach Kelly Kruger has just completed his first year for the program as well.

?His recruits were a little bit different just coming into the program,? she says. This year he talked about what he was looking for and I fit the criteria.

?It?s a good steppingstone and if I want to play at another level in two years, I know he would be a good person to mold me into that athlete. If the opportunity came up for me to play beyond my time at Iowa Central, I?d like to.?

Not only will Stroud be playing for a new coach at a new school, she will be joining new teammates as well, and she is excited about it.

?I?m looking forward to meeting the new personalities and seeing who I can get to know as well as adjust in playing with them,? Stroud says.

Other girls on the Wildcats team have been supportive.

?They have told me it?s a good fit and they are excited for me. They are ready for me to see what I can do at the next level.?

While in her last year at Columbus, Stroud broke two school records.

She made 307 assists and was successful in making 70 3-point shots. Is she hoping to take those skills with her?

?I always have room to improve. I was at Iowa Central a couple of weeks ago doing some drills.

?It really showed that I?m not at my top game and I have a lot of room to improve.

?But taking what I?ve done in high school is really going to help me there.?

Stroud is a multi-sport athlete at Columbus, but basketball was the easier choice to play at the collegiate level.

?It was between basketball and softball,? she says. ?Those are the two things that help me wake up in the morning and I strive to do. I?ve put in a lot of extra time into them.

?I haven?t really been looked at for softball, but if Iowa Central looks at me, that?s fine. But basketball outweighed the decision for me as to what I wanted to go for.?

The elementary education major says continuing to play basketball at the next level is a great feeling, too.

?It?s awesome,? Stroud says. ?Playing your last game in high school is bittersweet, but knowing that you get to keep playing is always awesome.?