Traverse City Record-Eagle

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  • Kalkaska's Kelli Guy is a two-time Record-Eagle Dream Team player. Record-Eagle/Keith King

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November 14, 2012

Kalkaska's Guy set to sign with MTU

Kalkaska basketball standout will make it official today

By MIKE ECKERT meckert@record-eagle.com

KALKASKA — Kelli Guy is not wasting any time.

Today is the first day high school seniors can sign a national letter of intent to play college basketball and Guy, a Kalkaska senior, is scheduled to sign her letter at 7:45 a.m. with Michigan Tech.

"Everything," Guy said when asked what stood out about Michigan Tech. "I just love it up there. When I went to visit, I loved everything about it. The coaches are awesome. It's a really special place."

For Guy, a two-time Record-Eagle Dream Team selection, chose the Huskies over Lake Superior State University, Grand Valley State University and Hope College.

"Year after year, they're (Michigan Tech) a perennial power in Division 2," Blazers coach Dave Dalton said. "They're usually rated in the top 10. A couple of years ago they went to the Final Four. She was their No. 1 recruit and they came hard after her."

Playing in college, though, wasn't always a given for Guy. She had a knee injury prior to her sophomore year of high school following a stellar freshman campaign. During her injury, Guy tried not to think about whether it would affect her college recruiting.

"I tried to be positive, but there were definitely times that ran through my mind," Guy said. "I'm definitely blessed to be in this position now."

Last year, she returned to form. She led the Blazers with 21.6 points, 6.9 assists, 3.1 steals and surpassed 1,000 career points.

"Last year, she led the state in all classes in free-throw percentage. She was over 90 percent," Dalton said. "She has the career assist record already with over 400. And she has over 1,000 career points."

Guy has several family connections to Michigan Tech. Her mom, Susan, went there as well as her grandpa, who graduated in 1942 after playing basketball and setting several records in track and field.

There also is a Kalkaska connection for Guy already established at Michigan Tech. Former Blazers standout Maria Kasza is an assistant coach for the Huskies. Two years ago, she was an assistant for Dalton as the Blazers reached the state quarterfinal.

"It's a really great program," Dalton said. "They work really hard up there, which is good for (Kelli) because she's a hard worker."

Now, Guy can focus on playing her senior year of high school without worrying about the recruiting process. She and the Blazers will be looking to reach the regional final for the fourth straight year.

"It's a nice load off my shoulders, for sure," Guy said.

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