When crunch time came in the Illinois High School Association Class 4-A girls championship game at Redbird Arena in downstate Normal earlier this month, one of the smallest players on the court stood above everyone else.
As Bolingbrook attempted a comeback, it was 5-4 guard D’Frantz Smart of Whitney Young who guided her Lady Dolphins to the school’s firstever state championship by making clutch play after clutch play. For her efforts this season, Smart has been named as the Chicago Defender girl’s basketball Player of the Year.
Legendary Marshall high school head coach Dorothy Gaters has been chosen as the Chicago Defender girl’s Coach of the Year. Joining Smart on the Defender first team are teammate Ashlee Anderson; Sarah Rogers of Marshall; Tenisha Wilson of Bogan high school; and Zahque Gray of John Hope College Prep.
Getting honorable mention consideration were Adrienne Godbold and Tatiana Walker of Marshall; Porsha Harris of Whitney Young; Sumayyah Muhammad of Julian; and Dominique Reese of Simeon. “A lot of players can beat you by scoring a lot of points,” said an opposing coach of Smart. “However, D’Frantz has so many ways she can beat you in a game.
“She’s the consummate leader out there on the court.” Smart was the Lady Dolphins’ second leading scorer this season, averaging 9.5 points a game. She also averaged 5.6 assists per contest. She was also a leader in the classroom at Whitney Young and is headed to Rice University in the fall.
Ashlee Anderson, Whitney Young H.S. Anderson joined Smart in the Lady Dolphins’ backcourt and gave the Lady Dolphins a lethal one-two punch. In the championship game against Bolingbrook, Anderson had a team-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Just a junior, she’ll be back next season to torment the rest of the Public League. She’s the younger sister of former Morgan Park track star Alexandria Anderson.
Sarah Rogers, Marshall H.S. The floor leader of the state 3- A champions, Rogers averaged 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game this season for the Lady Commandos. She’ll be continuing her education at the University of Massachusetts.
Tenisha Wilson, Bogan H.S. A 5-8 guard, Wilson is Bogan’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She’s headed to Northern Illinois University, where Lady Huskies head coach Carol Owens is looking forward to having her on the squad. "She’s going to be a great addition to our program," Owens said. "She’s someone that, in terms of the media and exposure, was under the radar because she didn’t play AAU which was a great benefit for us. She’s a great kid."
Zhaque Gray, John Hope H.S. Gray averaged 17.3 points a game in leading the Lady Eagles to the Public League championship this past season. A longrange shooter, she had threepointers this season. Gray will be headed to Penn State after graduating.
Dorothy Gaters, Marshall H.S. Coach of Year What more can be said about the winningest high school basketball coach in state history. Coach Gaters recorded her eighth state title and 881st career victory when Marshall defeated Freeport for the 3-A title.
______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About Post Author
