[Notre Dame News]

Ionia's Kellie Watson, who was the state's overall top-rated girls basketball player last season as a junior, has committed to Notre Dame.

Watson, who's 6-foot-2, averaged 24 points last fall before shoulder surgery ended her season after 14 games. She had also considered Michigan, Michigan State and Duke.

Why Notre Dame? "Well, for one thing, it's Notre Dame," she said. "The education you receive is amazing and with the alumni associations you make, they'll help you until you're 80.

"I like the size of the school, too. It's only 8,000. They have a national championship under their belt and I like the coaches and the players I'll be playing with. They've got a pretty successful program."

Area sports in brief: Top player to go to Notre Dame