Danielle McCray, Trinity Christian: Post All-Area small school girls basketball player of the year

Friday, March 26, 2010
by Cristina Ledra

Danielle McCray. (Photo by Ray Graham / The Palm Beach Post

Opponents likely haven't seen the best of Trinity Christian's Danielle McCray — a scary concept considering how good the junior forward already is.

On the radar of major-college programs for years, McCray has gotten better each year. This season, with her father, Luke, as one of her coaches, she added more aspects to her game, thus becoming more versatile.

"I learned different ways of scoring and different ways of playing defense, especially when playing taller players because most post players are taller than me," said the 6-foot-1 McCray.

One of the best shot-blockers around (she had 122 blocks in 27 games, or 4.5 blocks per game), McCray also has a lot of post moves on offense that led to her averaging 21.5 points per-game. She should hit 2,000 career points very early next season. She also averaged 13.3 rebounds per game this season.

On top of all that, she's working on another lofty goal — dunking the ball.

McCray started two years ago and could touch about halfway up the net. Working with light weights and running on the beach have trained her lower body enough to where she can now touch the rim.

The fact that Trinity Christian came up short in the state semifinals was a disappointment, but McCray was proud of all the hard work the Warriors put into the season.

"I think we had a great season," she said. "My dad was a great coach. He helped us a lot in improving our game. I think we worked hard for getting as far as we did."

COACH OF THE YEAR:

Andy Russo, St. Andrew's

With Russo at the helm, the Scots ended a long drought by finally capturing a district championship.

FIRST TEAM:

Guard: Jamierra Faulkner, Trinity Christian, Sr.

Was the engine that made the Warriors go. Signed with Southern Mississippi.

Guard: Neydja Petithomme, American Heritage, 8th

Regarded as the best eighth-grader in the state, averaged 12.5 points and five assists.

Forward: Christina Alessi, King's Academy, Sr.

Averaged 14.6 points, 16.2 rebounds and six blocks for the Lions.

Guard/forward: Brooke Garmon, King's Academy, Sr.

Averaged 21.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Lions.

Guard: Tayler Tremblay, St. Andrew's, Sr.

Dominant player who led the Scots with 23.3 points and 6.3 assists.

Guard: Jamie Burke, Benjamin, Jr.

Scored 1,000th point this season, averaging 18 points per game and 6.2 assists.

Guard: Ke'Andrenee Berry, Berean Christian, Sr.

Averaged 17.4 points and 4.7 assists per game for best Bulldogs team ever.

Guard: Antonella Marino, Cardinal Newman, Sr.

Strong offensive player with 16.7 points, 5.8 assists and 7.2 steals.

SECOND TEAM:

G: Alicia McCray, Trinity Christian, Fr.

G: Diamond Jones, American Heritage, Jr.

G: Christina Hale, Jupiter Christian, Sr.

F/C: Nicki Schaffer, Cardinal Newman, Sr.

G: Crystal Connors, Trinity Christian, Jr.

G: Kate Thompson, Jupiter Christian, Jr.

G: Ambra Martin, Summit Christian, Jr.

G: Angela Alvarez, St. Andrew's, So.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Benjamin — Nano Anderson, Arden Pettit; Donna Klein Academy — Taytum Orshan, Samantha Peitzer; Lake Worth Christian — Alex Geesey; American Heritage — Shateria Davis, Lynzey Williams, Carly Colman; John Carroll — Aubree Parker; Berean Christian — Emily May, Samie Lesperance, Mary Madison-Sims; Inlet Grove — Chelsea Woodson; Summit Christian — Storm Bureau; St. Andrew's — Allie Russo; King's Academy —Kathleen Wiggs.