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| 10/29/2008 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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Courtesy Photo
DOVE CREEK senior Kellie Deremo plays in the state tournament last season. Deremo committed to play college basketball at Regis University. |
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Dove Creek's Deremo commits to play basketball at Regis
Ben Webster
Journal Sports Editor
After narrowing her choice of where to go to college to two schools, Kellie Deremo had a decision to make, and she wanted to have it out of the way before her final season of high school basketball began. For the 6-foot Dove Creek guard/forward, that decision has now been made.
Friday, Deremo verbally committed to play basketball at Regis University and said she'll sign a letter of intent during the early signing period, which begins in November. By signing at Regis to play basketball, Deremo will receive a full tuition scholarship.
Deremo's choices of where to play basketball and go to school came down to the school in Denver and Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Deremo made her official visit to Regis last month and was happy with what the basketball program and the school had to offer.
"I just got to hang out with some of the players and went to classes with them and went to practice. And it wasn't with the coaches, really, so I got to know the girls," Deremo said. "All of them were really nice, and it was more like family.
"At Grand Canyon it was like the starters against everyone else on the team, and I really like the way it was at Regis."
As a junior, Deremo averaged 17.2 points per game and shot 65.2 percent from the field to lead the Bulldogs to the state tournament and a 21-5 record.
In addition to using her size to her advantage, she is also a huge 3-point threat for Dove Creek. She shot 41.5 percent from behind the 3-point line as a junior. Her ability to score down low and on the outside makes her valuable to Dove Creek and will help her as she plays in college.
"Usually on a 1A team, you get a girl who is 6 foot and she's automatically a post," Dove Creek coach Jim Buffington said. "With Kellie she can be a post, but she also is a 3-point shooter for us. If other teams put a small girl on her, we'll have her go down low. If they put a tall girl on her, we'll run her outside."
With just 12 players on the team compared to 19 at Grand Canyon, Deremo said coaches at Regis told her she could see playing time next year as a freshman.
After her official visit in September, Deremo said, Regis coaches continued to e-mail her.
"They seemed like they wanted me more. Their coached e-mailed me every day, and I felt like they were happier to have me than Grand Canyon.
Deremo also committed to Regis because she wants to study business management. She said she might like to get into sports management and liked the idea of interning with a professional team in Denver.
"It's in Denver with all the pro teams and they have internships with the Avalanche and stuff," Deremo said.
After making the decision, Deremo can focus on helping Dove Creek be successful this season. The Bulldogs officially begin practice Wednesday, Nov. 12, and open the season Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Montezuma-Cortez High School.
"She made the decision early so she can help us get a state championship," Buffington said.
She is relieved to have the big decision out of the way before her senior year as a Bulldog gets underway.
"It was tough to decide, but I'm so glad to have it out of the way," Deremo said. "Now if I get hurt or something, I know I'll be OK. It's going to be a lot less stressful season, and I can just play."
Reach Ben Webster at benw@cortezjournal.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, October 31, 2008
Article comment by:
Uncle Murph
I'm so proud of this young lady!
I taught her everything she knows...
...good thing she didn't listen:)
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