Trio continues to lead Xenia girls basketball team

After a 20-2 season, their dreams now feature a Hollywood-style run for a state championship.

Brittiney Latimer, 18, Jessica Alexander, 17, and Brianne Thornton, 16, at Xenia High School Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

E.L. Hubbard/Contributing photographer Brittiney Latimer, 18, Jessica Alexander, 17, and Brianne Thornton, 16, at Xenia High School Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 10:28 PM Thursday, November 26, 2009

XENIA — Jessica Alexander joined several future teammates on the select team Xenia Dribblers in the sixth grade. Even then, the group was eager to advance to the high school level.

“I couldn’t wait to get here,” said Alexander, the Xenia High School senior guard who will play for Wright State next season. “I wanted to play high school ball, and I thought we could have some good teams.”

Alexander and her teammates have delivered, and more could be coming. After finishing last season 20-2 and ranked No. 10 in the state in Division I, the Buccaneers return three starters — Alexander, junior guard Brianne Thornton and senior forward Brittiney Latimer — and are one of the area’s most notable teams as the Ohio girls basketball season begins today, Nov. 27.

Together, the three accounted for 66 percent of Xenia’s points and 49 percent of the Buccaneers’ rebounds during one of the best seasons in school history in any sport.

“It reminded me of Remember the Titans,” said Thornton of the 2000 football movie. “They had such a great season, everything was so great for them. They made it to state, and we didn’t, so hopefully we can make it to state this year.”

To do that, Xenia will rely on its top three returners to lead a team that also includes senior guard Jenna Williams, who will play next season at Cedarville University, and post player Cassie Whitley.

“We have great defense, we talk on defense,” Latimer said. “ We pressure the ball really well, and we rebound. We have a lot of great effort.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com

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