mkovak@observer-reporter.com

The telephone calls keep coming. On most days this summer, Peters Township High School senior-to-be Emily Correal talks to at least three or four college basketball coaches.

It's the way life goes when you're one of the nation's most sought-after players.

The courtship of Correal, a gifted 6-3 forward, is under way and coaches across the country are inquiring about the two-time Observer-Reporter Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

"There's been about 25 or more schools interested," Correal said Wednesday. "I didn't get to play AAU last summer, so this summer is really important for me."

Correal currently sports eight scholarship offers from NCAA Division I programs and that number figures to rise.

She recently returned from the Michael T. White All-American Camp, an invitation-only event held in Atlanta for the top 160 high school girls players in the country.

"I think I played well," Correal said. "The good thing is there was a lot of exposure. I got to play in two games and there were a ton of college coaches."

Correal earned the opportunity to gain a little exposure at the local level over the winter as she led Peters Township to the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game and the second round of the state playoffs.

She led all local players last season with a 21.3 points-per-game scoring average and, with one year of varsity basketball remaining, Correal already has scored 1,342 points.

The additional playoff games were key for Correal as she was unable to play last summer because of a foot sprain. That's why this summer is of extra importance.

Yet missing a season's worth of elite competition did not keep Correal from recently earning a place among the nation's elite recruits.

According to ESPN HoopGurlz, Correal is the country's No. 70 recruit.

"Most of the girls in the top 100 were seen last year," Correal said. "Some coaches saw me from the summer before"

Correal is ranked as the 13th-best forward and she's also listed as the top prospect within the WPIAL. Schenley's Markel Walker is ESPN's seventh-ranked player.

"It's really exciting. When I see those things, it makes me want to work harder," Correal said, as she prepares for the U.S. Junior Nationals which run from July 22-25 in Washington, D.C. "It's definitely a good feeling to be recognized like that."

For now, Correal plans to play summer ball and wait for more offers. She hears Duke is interested and, possibly, North Carolina.

"It's always been a goal of mine to play college basketball," she said. "I'm going to play through July and see if I get more interest. I plan on making unofficial visits in August and making five official visits after that. Hopefully, I'll make my decision this fall."

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