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Top scorers blend talent, confidence, commitment

Boys, girls leaders spend hours in gym for success on court.

Valley View junior Zack Denny has caught the ire of opposing defenses as they try to keep his prolific scoring down. Staff photo by Chris Stewart

Chris Stewart/Dayton Daily News Staff Photogra Valley View junior Zack Denny has caught the ire of opposing defenses as they try to keep his prolific scoring down. Staff photo by Chris Stewart

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer 9:47 PM Monday, January 23, 2012

Zack Denny is only a junior, but he already has set the bar high for his senior season.

The Valley View High School star’s goal — similar to those of most basketball players — is to “have a big senior year.” For Denny, though, the difference is that his average night is a career night for other players.

Denny leads the Dayton area with 27.67 points per game, up from 24.5 as a sophomore and 7.5 as a freshman.

Is 30 points per game possible? During an eight-game stretch to close out last season he averaged 33.

“It’s definitely rare,” Valley View coach Ben Buehner said. “You have a lot of guys who want to be that good, but it’s not very often you have (that commitment) to go along with the talent.”

It’s easy to see why some of the area’s high scorers rank among the best. Springboro senior Maverick Morgan (21.3 points) stands 6-foot-10.

Deontae Hawkins (17.7) is Dunbar’s 6-8 senior big man, and 6-4 senior teammate Gary Akbar (18.4) has been described at times as a man playing among boys.

Fairborn’s Kendrick Williams? He has to take a different approach.

“I think being a little guy you get that attitude. You gotta be more fearless on the court,” the 6-foot senior said. “When I was younger I always played with my older brother and his friends, and they were all way bigger than me. It was an attitude they taught me when I was younger. Be aggressive and don’t let anyone stop you.”

So far, so good. Williams leads the Greater Western Ohio Conference with 22 points per game.

Complete package

To be a high scorer in high school basketball there are certain requirements.

Confidence.

Shooting touch.

A quick first step.

Dayton Christian senior Lisa Weber, a 5-10 senior, has all three. She averages 23.3 points and unloaded a school-record 46 in the season opener against West Carrollton, nearly half on free throws after drives to the basket. In that game she hit 22 of her 27 free throws and all 10 field goals.

“It just happened. I tried really hard and kept taking the ball to the basket,” said Weber, who is shooting 72 percent from the field, 53.8 percent from 3-point range and 73.4 percent from the free-throw line.

“I always tell myself I’m going to make it. I always say that in my head. ... I do the same routine every shot.”

Getting defensive

Being labeled as a scorer does have its drawbacks. Denny faced a triangle-and-two defense against Madison, with both of those “and-two” defenders guarding him.

Dayton Christian coach Paul Orme said Weber often sees face-guarding and trapping defenses.

“I know going into the game not to expect any one-on-one coverage,” Williams said. “It makes it better for my teammates because it helps them score more.”

Added Weber: “It’s a sign of respect, but during a game it can be frustrating not being able to get open.”

That’s where the confidence comes in.

“I feel like I can score from anywhere,” Denny said. “That’s what helps me out. If I’m awful on one part I can just go to another (part of my game).”

Team first

Weber has taken 118 of her team’s 537 field-goal attempts and 143 of her team’s 277 free throws.

Denny averages 28 of his team’s 63 points per game.

Their coaches’ advice?

Shoot more.

“When my shots aren’t falling I usually try to pass more,” Weber said. “But my coaches keep telling me to shoot. ... I pass it as much as I can and I do pass up shots. I want to be a team player.”

Added Williams: “The thing is my teammates expect me to shoot and they want me to. ... The more defenses worry about me, it gives them an open shot. It’s the same thing when they’re shooting good, it gets me better shots. You don’t want to be a ball hog, but at the same time you have to score.”

Gym rats

Practice has gotten the area’s top scorers far on the basketball court. Whether it’s pick-up games in the backyard with older brothers or calling the coach to get inside the gym during the weekend, the extra effort pays off.

“I probably play about four hours a day,” Denny said of a typical day during summer break. “Basketball is my favorite sport. I just want to go to the next level and play college.”

Added Weber: “Practice as much as you can. Always give 100 percent and try your hardest. Even if your shots aren’t falling keep shooting and hopefully they’ll fall.”

Williams echoed that philosophy, especially after seeing an interview with Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

“(Bryant) always said ‘If I miss that sixth shot, the seventh is going in. And the eighth one is definitely falling.’ That’s the mentality or mind set I’ve always had,” Williams said.

“There’s also a guy I met at the gym and he told me how to shoot smart, to be more efficient. ... A lot of times, especially in high school, kids will take shots fading away or doing all types of crazy stuff. An on-balance shot is the best shot, that’s what I always think.”

They’ve got game

Denny scored a school-record 42 points in the season opener against Brookville.

Weber had her 46.

Williams’ personal best is 37 as a sophomore against Miamisburg.

Weber admits she tries to keep an accurate count in her head during the game: “I want to keep my average so I try to keep track,” she said. “When we have a big crowd there, that helps. I kind of feed off the crowd.”

Williams often doesn’t even know they are there.

“You can’t describe it,” Williams said. “I feel like when I’m really scoring like that, it’s like I’m in the gym by myself. I can’t really hear anybody. I can’t really see anything but the basket and I’m shooting and it’s going in. It’s great.”

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