Topeka multi-sport athlete Peyton Williams, the granddaughter of Great Bend resident Ann Casey, has committed to play basketball and volleyball at Kansas State University in the fall.
Williams, a senior at Topekas Cair Paravel Latin School (CPLS), signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Kansas State University on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at her high school.
Williams plans to also play volleyball for the Wildcats, but signed the letter of intent to attend Kansas State as a scholarship member of the womens basketball team.
Williams, the daughter of Great Bend High School graduate Kim (Casey) Fertig and Ellinwood High School graduate Todd Fertig, will be the first Topekan to play basketball at Kansas State in 25 years.
The 6-foot-3 senior is rated as the number 64 player in the nation by Prospects Nation and is rated the number 20 center in the country by ESPN Hoopgurlz.
Williams anticipates redshirting for the K-State volleyball program in the 2016 season and will look to compete as a two-sport athlete beginning in the 2017-18 season.
“A very skilled and athletic center that will be able to pass, score, and rebound effectively,” stated Kansas State womens basketball head coach Jeff Mittie on the in-state product. “Her versatility will be a tremendous advantage for our team.”
Williams has played on the varsity of both the girls basketball and volleyball teams since the eighth grade. She is a four-time All-Kansas Christian Athletic Association (KCAA) First Team selection in volleyball and a three-time All-KCAA First Team recipient and an All-KCAA Second Team honoree in basketball.
In basketball, Williams has tallied over 1,200 points and averaged 19.3 points and 13.1 rebounds last season while helping the Lions to a regular season title in the KCAA and a second place finish in the league tournament.
In her sophomore season in 2013-14, Williams helped the Lions to a 24-2 record and the programs first KCAA title. She averaged 22.2 points, 14.1 rebounds, 5.1 steals and 2.3 blocks during the season. In the Metro Christian Athletic Association tournament, Williams averaged 27 points and 15 rebounds to earn tournament MVP honors.