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On Women's Basketball

Destiny Williams flourishing in postseason

Posted by: Tony Bleill

Friday, March 20, 2009 11:21 AM

Illini recruit Destiny Williams scored seven of her 19 points in the fourth quarter to lead fifth-ranked Benton Harbor to a 61-59 upset of top-ranked East Lansing in the Michigan Class A state quarterfinals this week.

Williams (12 rebounds) blocked a game-tying attempt and was fouled with 5.9 seconds left, though the Trojans felt a foul should have been called on Williams.

Benton Harbor face Lake Orion at noon Friday in the semifinals at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. The title game is 11 a.m. Saturday.

A McDonald's All-American, Williams was recently named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year but, surprisingly, did not receive the Miss Basketball award. That went to Saginaw Nouvel guard Jenny Ryan, who won two state championships during her career. Ryan has signed with Michigan.

The award is voted on by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. Ryan had 1,728 points in the voting, and Williams was second with 1,523. UI recruit Amber Moore of Detroit Country Day was fourth with 700 points.

Williams is averaging 30 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists and 4.5 blocks.

Click here for a feature story on Williams from the Benton Harbor paper.

--For more on Williams and potential Illini Kelsey Bone, check out these thumbnails of the McDonald's All-American rosters.

--Speaking of Williams, she was one of the topics of discussion of my season-review Q-and-A with Jolette Law. Look for it Sunday on HQ and in The News-Gazette.

One of the things Law mentioned was the possibility of Williams playing on the wing. Perhaps not at the start of her career, but at some point next season. Williams has the skill set to play that spot, which could offer an even more dynamic look for the Illini offense next season, especially they can land Bone.

--Former Illini Danielle Gratton, a third team All-MAC selection at Ball State, will face Tennessee at 8 p.m. Sunday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Though the Volunteers are seeded lower (fifth) than ever before, Ball State could have trouble slowing down Pat Summit's crew. BSU was not an especially strong defensive team, and the Vols have some scorers, albeit young ones.

Gratton has had a solid season, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds while spending a surprisingly large amount of her time with her back to the basket. Gratton was strictly a perimeter player at Illinois, but she has played all over the court at BSU.

--Speaking of the NCAA tournament ... Could the folks at ESPN please take a cue from CBS in putting together their selection show?

ESPN's is atrocious. On Monday, the first brackets weren't revealed until 6:10, a full 10 minutes into the show. If CBS tried to pull that stunt, there'd be a revolt. Please, ESPN, pay attention to CBS. They've set the standard; all you have to do is follow it.

--Further evidence of the Illini's brutal schedule: 11 opponents made the NCAA tournament field. The list: Maryland, South Dakota State, Iowa, Montana, Purdue, North Carolina, Michigan State, Ohio State, Temple, Virginia and Minnesota.