South Tama's Baier picks the Cyclones

TAMA -- Iowa State offered first, and that's all Madison Baier needed.

Baier, who led South Tama to its first five-player state tournament last March, said Thursday that she has committed to play women's basketball for the Cyclones, starting with the 2012-13 season.

South Tama's Madison Baier, here shooting against Ballard at the state tournament, has orally committed to play basketball at Iowa State University. (Cliff Jette/SourceMedia Group)

"I've always been a Cyclone fan," said Baier, whose school is on the virtual midpoint geographically between ISU and Iowa. "I don't go to a lot of games, but I watch them on TV a lot.

"They've got a great team, a great program and unbelievable crowd support. There's nothing more amazing than a game at Hilton (Coliseum)."

Baier also considered Iowa and Creighton.

"I was going to visit Creighton, but Iowa State is closer to home," she said. "They offered, and I took it."

A 6-foot-4 post and a senior-to-be, Baier averaged 12.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and four blocks per game as South Tama finished 22-3. The Trojans led their Class 3A state quarterfinal with Ballard into the third quarter before falling, 46-39.

Baier, who shot 56.3 percent from the field as a junior, is one of five returning starters for South Tama, which will be ranked extremely high in the preseason 3A ratings.

South Tama will leave the Little Hawkeye Conference for the North Iowa Cedar League in time for the 2011-12 school year.

She is playing in the Game Time League this summer at North Liberty. She scored six points in her GTL season debut Wednesday as her team won, 88-60.

"I'm working on my weaknesses," she said. "I want to get more confident in my (ball handling). I want to get to the point that I have a lot of faith in dribbling the ball."