The Knapp household in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, has become a Thunder Storm home.
Abbie Knapp, a sophomore girls basketball star at Green High School, committed to the Marshall University Thundering Herd on Friday. Later that day, her brother Jonathan, a senior baseball standout with the Bobcats, committed to the University of Rio Grande RedStorm.
Abbie Knapp chose Marshall over offers from Wright State, Georgetown (Kentucky) and others. The 6-foot-1 forward is a first-team all-state selection in Division VII. She averaged 27 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots per game last season to lead Green to a 22-2 record, the Southern Ohio Conference Division I title and the region semifinals.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m so excited to commit to Marshall and play basketball at the next level,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Abbie Knapp said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d like to thank coach Juli Fulks and staff for giving me the opportunity.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
KnappÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s mother, Melissa, is GreenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s coach. She played at Russell High School, Eastern Kentucky and Shawnee State. Melissa Knapp said her daughter projects to play a wing position with the Herd.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe can play at that level,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Melissa Knapp said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHer size is the main thing. You have to get the ball where it should go and be able to shoot from the outside.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Abbie Knapp showed she has those qualities in her first two seasons of high school ball. She played under the basket and outside, sometimes handling the point. Melissa Knapp said even as a youth league player, Abbie practiced ball-handling and outside shooting.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI just love what theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re doing,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Abbie Knapp said of Marshall.
Abbie Knapp said her goal is to become a physical therapist.
Jonathan Knapp received a full scholarship to Rio Grande. He went 6-2 with a 1.58 earned run average last season, allowing 35 hits, striking out 107 and walking 29 in 62 innings. He went 20-6 with a 1.95 ERA for his career.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d like to thank coach (Brad) Warnimont for giving me an opportunity to continue to play baseball,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Jonathan Knapp said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m looking forward to playing for the University of Rio Grande.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
