The 'Little' Team That Could Puts Inkster High on Hoops Map
INKSTER, Mich., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lady Vikings are on top of the
hoops world today. On Saturday they beat St. Ignace 74-51 to become Michigan
Class C state champs for the 2002 season. Inkster led by one at halftime. The
new champs were on a quest this season. Their defeat to Benedictine in the
Districts in 2001 was one of only 3 losses in 3 years. But they felt it
deeply. "We were on a mission," said forward Carena Easley.
Coach and Athletic Director Dave Mann said, "This is great for the school
and the community".
"Our girls are awesome," said principal Dr. Cleaster Jackson, "they have
heart, they have dedication and they are academically gifted". The 13-member
squad has 10 Honor Roll students. Brittany Evans boasts a 3.94 G.P.A. and is
President of the National Honor Society. Charity Tyus was editor of her
student newspaper "The Mighty Viking" last year.
The varsity squad includes Easley, Charity Tyus, Laelah Qawee, Khadigrian
Murphy, Evelyn Heath, Keisha Young, Tiffany Smith, Sophia Wilks, Brittany
Evans, Dominique Whitner, Jessica Jones, Eboni Brown and Nekeisha Cheathem.
The coaching staff sports Eddie Bryant, David Thompson, Erik Lindsey and
trainer Jim Carlisle. Managers are Amanda Parker, Woodell Payne and Pierre
Goree.
The Inkster high School Leadership Class spearheaded events Wednesday,
Dec. 11 for an all-school celebration for the much-loved girl's basketball
team. Honored guests included Pam Wong, Chief of Staff/Director of
Communications, from the State Superintendent of Education office; Mayor of
Inkster Hilliard Hampton, members of the School Board, and media members.
Governor-elect Jennifer Granholm was unable to attend but sent a personal
commendation to members of the Inkster Girl's varsity squad.
Mann complimented this year's squad, "at the all state games and hotels we
received a lot of compliments. The officials spoke about our sportsmanship.
They did a great job representing the school and the community". "One of our
greatest strengths is our strong defense." Several of the graduating seniors
are dreaming about Division 1 college scholarships. Mann states that his
athletes are "student ambassadors".
There are five graduating seniors. Two of the starters were featured in a
Detroit daily newspaper this year. A photograph of one of the top scorers
Laelah Qawee was included on a sports page with student athletes. Qawee dreams
of a WNBA career. Khadigrian 'Dee Dee' Murphy was the spotlight of a long
interview about her quest to be the first Inkster woman student with six
varsity letters. A number of the players have 'hooped' together since sixth
grade.
Murphy was named to the "Detroit News" Class C All State Second Team.
Murphy scored six straight to post the Vikings to a 32-25 lead. Qawee was
named as an Honorable Mention. In the MEGA Red Conference the All Conference
players are Evans, Murphy, Easley and Smith. Honorable Mention players are
Heath, Young and Whitner.
The Vikings established a record in the final game with most points scored
in the second half with 52, and tied the record for most points. Britany
Evans with 17 points Khadigrian Murphy 15 and Carena Easley with 14 points
were listed at Saturday's high scorers.
The elementary school cheerleader mascots Miss Cara Easley and De'janique
Whitner received the trophy with Coach Mann for the triumphant Vikings.
Mann says all the seniors can play college ball and he feels positive
about next season, "this team can continue to succeed if everyone is committed
to getting into condition".
About Edison Schools
Edison is the nation's largest private manager of public schools. Edison
educates approximately 110,000 students in 150 full-year schools and 178
summer schools across the country. Through contracts with local school
districts, states, and public charter school boards, Edison assumes
educational and operational responsibility for individual schools in return
for funding that is generally comparable to that spent on other public schools
in the area. Over the course of three years of intensive research, Edison's
team of leading educators and scholars developed an innovative curriculum and
school design. Edison opened its first four schools in August 1995, and has
grown rapidly in every subsequent year.
SOURCE Edison Schools
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Related links:
http://www.edisonschools.com
CONTACT:
Dave Mann, Athletic Director & Coach,
+1-734-326-8519, dmann@inkster.edisonschools.com, or Dr. Cleaster
Jackson, principal +1-734-326-8519, ext. 1500, by Jim Cencer,
Journalism advisor, +1-734-326-8519, ext. 1005,
jcencer@inkster.edisonschools.com
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