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Girls will have hands full with Justin-Siena's Deely
last updated: March 06, 2008 10:45:24 AM
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As girls basketball has evolved this last decade, it's become customary to see 6-footers battle. Typically, though, their confrontations are around the basket.
Vicky Deely is no typical 6-footer, however. The senior from Justin-Siena of Napa is capable of going inside and exploiting open-court situations in transition.
It's why she averages 22 points and nine rebounds a game, and has signed a letter of intent to play at UC Davis next season.
She's also the obstacle between Modesto Christian and a berth in Saturday's Northern California Division IV final. MC (28-4) hopes to conquer Deely and the No. 3 state-ranked Braves (28-3) in tonight's semifinal in Napa.
MC had no trouble with Anderson's 6-foot tandem in its 75-36 first-round win, but both centers were inside players who were unable to create their own shots.
That's not a problem for Deely, who also has a formidable teammate in 5-11 Jessica Futo — the sort of athletic frontcourt that MC has yet to face this season.
The Crusaders can send four players on the floor who stand at least 5-10, including 6-footers Jessica Graham and Lauren Lucchesi, and they'll likely need all of them to get past the Braves.
MC's best bet is a game of attrition, whether tiring out the duo or using its depth to create foul problems. Of course, MC won't be the first to try this approach.
It hasn't worked yet.
Even defending NorCal champ St. Patrick-St. Vincent — with all-state forward Alex Cowling, who's off to Loyola-Marymount — failed, losing twice to Justin-Siena.
MC will try to duplicate its attack from Tuesday, when it ran at every opportunity and created numerous baskets off turnovers.
"We want to win a state championship and we know it doesn't get any easier after tonight," Lucchesi said after Tuesday's win.
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