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Fergus Falls senior Hannah Draxten is just one of several Big 10 recruits playing in The Breakdown's Tip Off Classic.  But she's the only one who will be playing on her home court this weekend.

When a skinny eighth-grader named Hannah Draxten showed up on the first day of practice for the Fergus Falls girls basketball team more than four years ago, head coach Dave Rund already knew she was something special.

“My first impression of (Hannah) was her court savvy she possessed at such a young age, her natural athletic ability and desire to win,” said Rund, who has watched the 6-foot wing blossom into one of the top prep players in the state over the ensuing years.

Hannah Draxten (31) controls the ball against Rogers last year.

“We are excited to be hosting the TOC in Fergus Falls,” beamed Rund. “Fergus Falls is a basketball fan-filled community and is thrilled to have some of the elite teams in the state performing at one of the most electric venues in our region.”

Draxten, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent for the University of Iowa, is just one of five Big 10 and seven Division 1 recruits participating in the Classic. Fellow Iowa recruit Kamille Wahlin (Crookston), Florida Gulf Coast-bound Kelsey Jacobson (Moorhead), George Washington’s Kiara Allums (Centennial) and three future Golden Gophers in Brianna and Nicole Mastey (Becker) and Jackie Voigt (Park) will also hit the court.

Heading into her senior year, Draxten is already the Fergus Falls career record-holder in points (1,830) and rebounds (757). She’s averaged 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game over her entire four-year career, while being named All-State honorable mention as a sophomore and All-State as a junior.

Draxten also holds school records for single-game scoring (36), 3-pointers made (8), free throw shooting (16-for-16) and single-season scoring (562), rebounding (255) and 3-pointers made (60).

“My strength is probably my shooting,” admitted Draxten. “I spend a lot of time working on it. I have worked a lot on extending my range outside the 3-point stripe.

“I also I feel I’m a pretty good defender and rebounder. I still need to work on shooting off the dribble and you always can get better at ball handling.”

What Rund feels places Draxten apart is her leadership, helping the Otters to three Section 8AAA championship games over her first four years.

“Hannah has brought leadership and consistency to each varsity team she has played with during her career,” said Rund. “As a leader, her teammates have respected her opinion and relentless work ethic. (Her) enthusiasm and drive to win has been contagious throughout our program. Hannah is the most self driven and motivated student-athlete that I have had the pleasure to coach.”

Before she leaves Rund’s program, Draxten is hoping to bring the Otters somewhere they’ve never been – the state tournament. Despite reaching the section finals in three of the last four years, Fergus Falls has fallen one step shy each time.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder understands she’s bringing an elite player into her program next fall. “Hannah is a big guard who is fundamentally strong,” said Bluder upon receiving Draxten’s letter of intent. “She works incredibly hard on the defensive end and has a beautiful pull-up jumper.”

According to Draxten, Iowa was among the first schools to recruit her – and the most persistent. She first made contact the Hawkeyes during an unofficial visit her freshman year at Fergus Falls.

They weren’t scared off when she suffered a broken leg and ankle injury in the summer of 2006. That fall, Draxten received offers from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and a few other schools, but she already knew where she was headed.

“It just felt right,” said Draxten. “A lot of my family and friends wanted me to choose Minnesota, but I know I made the right choice.”

“Iowa is getting an outstanding athlete, a quality person, and a dedicated teammate,” said Rund. “Hannah is the total package – the ‘Real Deal.’”

Draxten said she’s looking forward to the Tip Off Classic, both for a chance to play against some of the top teams in the state, but also to renew acquaintances with a few close friends. Draxten, Voigt and Wahlin all played together on the North Tartan Larson AAU team this summer.

“Jackie and I have been teammates for two years,” said Draxten, who also has played against the Masteys in AAU ball. “Our families have also become good friends. I have never played against Jackie, so I am looking forward to playing them on Friday night.”