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November 29, 2005Banktson, Glass, Loney earn all-stateLansing Christian's Scott is Class D player of the yearShakira Scott can now grab the rim after only being able to touch the net a year ago.If she'd had a chance to play more the last two years, the Lansing Christian senior thinks she'd be able to dunk by now. But Scott, this fall's Associated Press Class D Player of the Year, has made up for missing parts of the last two with an outstanding senior season. Scott is averaging 14.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 2.9 blocked shots per game and has the Pilgrims in line to compete this week for a third straight state title. Joining Scott on the first-team are Leland's Alisha Glass and Frankfort's Brenna Banktson and Jenny Loney. Scott missed the end of her sophomore season after the Michigan High School Athletic Association determined she had broken its transfer rules while playing for Walter French Academy. She was permitted to play 10 games for Lansing Christian last season because of Walter French's infractions. "I was really looking forward to this year. It's been so hard for me, but I understood that I had to support the team though I couldn't play," Scott said. "When I got to play 10 games, I was rushing to do everything I'd missed out on. Now that I have time to play this year, I'm calm. I'm playing my own game." Scott is 6-foot-1, has great jumping ability and a nice touch near the basket. But she has also improved her outside shot and dribbling and has become a tough defender who can also run the fast break like a guard. She has an offer from Oakland University and thinks that is where she'll likely end up. "She could play for any (high school) team around here, for any team in the state," Lansing Christian coach Norm Randall said. "She can go over the top of people and never touch them." Scott received plenty of help from senior guard Allison Griswold, who also made the All-State team after averaging 15 points, four assists and 2.9 steals per game. Two others, Glass and Engadine's Elicia Derusha, also were voted to the team unanimously. Glass is a returning All-Stater and averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots per game this season. She is a Division I volleyball prospect. Derusha averaged 18.7 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks per game and is a Division I basketball prospect. Bankston missed unanimous status by one vote after averaging 18.5 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game. Powers North Central's Shelle Rochon also received 10 votes after averaging 24.3 points and 12 rebounds per game. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran's Erika Scheffler joined Bankston and Glass among players returning to the All-State team. Scheffler averaged 13.3 points, eight rebounds and four steals per game this fall. Loney joined Bankston on the All-State squad, with 16 points, eight rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Andrea Clancy was the top player for Kinde North Huron and made the All-State team after averaging 18.5 points and 15 rebounds per game, and Portland St. Patrick's Tonya Weber was selected after averaging 14 points, six rebounds, and two blocks per game. Longtime Auburn Hills Oakland Christian coach Ed Mehlberg was named Class D Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 19-1 regular-season record without a double-figure scorer in his lineup. Mehlberg, in his 19th season, carried a 372-73 record into the district tournament. Amber Benthen of McBain Northern Michigan Christian was an honorable mention selection.
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