Some players hope to utilize the July evaluation period for NCAA Division I coaches as an opportunity to increase their stock and perhaps gain a scholarship offer or two.

But the recruitment of Jasper senior-to-be Shelby Merder, a 6-foot-3 center, is a little different than most.

Merder already holds 12 full-ride scholarship offers from Division I institutions, she said Monday evening after her Indiana Elite SWISH (Kessler) team pummeled Michigan Top Ten (Scott) in match-up play.

“They (college coaches) wouldn’t be here if they didn’t know you had talent,” said Merder, who listed New Mexico, Maryland Baltimore County, Ball State, Toledo, St. Louis, Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri as just some of the schools interested. “If you just keep playing your style and the way you were taught to play — not changing because of the (college) coaches (in attendance), then I feel like they’ll see your potential and how they can help you grow as a player after high school.”

Merder noted she also has visited Indiana “a couple times” and is “hoping to get something from IU here soon.”

She also expressed excitement for the upcoming 2012-13 high school season, speaking on her desire to lead Jasper to post-season success: “We’ll be able to press a lot more this year, so we’re looking forward to more quickness. In Southern Indiana, the ball is so slow. Bringing in a quick-paced team and playing against slower teams will definitely help us. We seem to get to the regional every year, but I want to go farther in my senior year. I’m determined to win it.”