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Area loaded with girls basketball talent
DAYTON LADY HOOP STARS,
OHIO LADY ATTACK SHINE
ON AAU NATIONAL SCENE
High school basketball is no longer considered just a winter sport. Factor in summer AAU, and the sport has evolved into a year-round ordeal.
Consider the Dayton Lady HoopStars and Ohio Lady Attack.
The age 15-and-under Attack — led by 5-foot-8 junior Andrea Hoover of Spring Valley Academy and 6-foot-1 junior Whitney Dabbelt of Alter High School — finished fourth in the nation. The HoopStars, meanwhile, had five teams place between second and 13th in AAU age-group National competition.
“It was a great year for the younger teams,” said area girls basketball authority Jim Dabbelt, whose website — The Dabbelt Report — is dedicated to girls hoops. “The older teams did not go to Nationals. They attended college showcase events instead, a wise decision because they received great exposure.”
Dabbelt lists 11 area “Players to Watch” during the 2009-10 prep season. All saw their stock rise with strong summer AAU performances.
“Everyone knows about Chaminade-Julienne’s Samarie Walker (UConn), Fairmont’s Cassie Sant (Dayton), Vandalia Butler’s Kacie Cassell (Akron) and Brookville’s Courtney Weeden (Wright State),” Dabbelt said. “But here’s a list of Miami Valley players who expect to make some noise.”
• Andrea Hoover — Greater Dayton’s finest player in the Class of 2011; an unselfish scoring machine who makes everyone around her better.
• Whitney Dabbelt — An aggressive forward-center and lock-down defender who has improved her perimeter jump shot.
• Candice Alexander — Fairborn’s 5-9 junior is expected to be a major factor for an improved Skyhawks team.
• Kristin Bruggeman — Centerville’s 5-7 junior is a tremendous leader who has improved her all-around game.
• Rebecca Burch — Anna’s 5-8 junior is a terrific shooting guard with a complete game.
• Shelby Carpenter — The Miami Valley School’s 5-7 sophomore is a prototype point guard who runs the break and can drain the outside shot.
• Leisha Crawford — Bellbrook’s 5-7 sophomore is a solid all-around guard who keeps showing improvement.
• Krista Knapke — Northmont’s 5-10 sophomore has the ability to develop into a force for the Thunderbolts.
• Lexi Murphy — Carlisle’s 5-7 sophomore is a hidden gem, a solid combo guard who can shoot and defend.
• Janel Olberding — Fort Loramie’s 5-8 junior is an outstanding point guard with good speed and floor leadership.
• Brooklyn Pumroy — Fairborn’s do-it-all 5-7 star is arguably the top sophomore in the area; she’s already receiving D-I attention.
“With several of the area’s top seniors already committed to college, most of the NCAA Division I coaches are looking at the 2011 and 2012 kids now,” Dabbelt said. “It’s a sign the Dayton area continues to produce great players.”
Dayton Lady HoopStars
Team-National Finish
9U- 3rd
10U-Tied 13th
11U- 2nd
12U- 2nd
13U- Tied 11th
Ohio Lady Attack
Team-National Finish
15U-4th
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Girls basketball
Comments
By SouthDayton
August 8, 2009 11:14 PM | Link to this
My daughter played against a few of those girls, and that is a good list of players. I like the Hoover kid, she has gotten better.By b-ball mom
August 9, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this
Great List of the upcoming players who will be making a impact in high school. This list also show’s the dedication and hard work done all year round and off the court some of the greatest and nicest girls I have ever been around. No ego’s— just good kids rooting for each other to play at the next level. Best wishes to all of them on thier continued success!!