Tearful Daniel realizes dream, signs with OSU
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Jim Massie
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
What moved Cherise Daniel to cry yesterday morning in the auditorium at Eastmoor Academy later led Ohio State women’s basketball coach Jim Foster to smile.
Daniel shed some happy tears while her parents, relatives, classmates, teachers and friends watched her sign a national letter of intent to play for the Buckeyes next season.
"I’ve been waiting for this day ever since I started playing basketball to get the opportunity to take my skills to a great institution," Daniel said. "I feel very fortunate that I’ll be able to play for Ohio State. Once (Foster) offered, I couldn’t refuse."
The 5-foot-11 guard will join a five-player freshman class that includes Maria Moeller, a 5-7 point guard from Maria Stein, Ohio; Lesslee Mason-Cox, a 6-2 forward from Cincinnati; Andrea Walker, a 6-5 center from West Allegheny, Pa., and Shavelle Little, a 5-8 guard from Ann Arbor, Mich.
"We got a little bit of everything," Foster said. "We got some size. We got some athleticism and a pure point guard."
Foster’s philosophy is to recruit for needs. He has four senior guards this season, Ashley Allen, Kim Wilburn, Candace Dark and Tia Battle. Walker, who averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds as a junior, provides him with a down-the-road replacment for junior All-American center Jessica Davenport.
"I think it’s always good to have another big one in the gym," he said. "I think it’s good for both the player you do have and then the young player you bring in; it gives her someone to play against. We needed to bring in a quality point guard. We really think Moeller has a chance to be a terrific college player."
Moeller averaged 18.4 points and six assists while leading Marion Local to a Division IV regional final. Daniel was a key part of a run to the Division II state final by the Warriors. She averaged 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Mason-Cox, whose father is former NBA star Mark Aguirre, played at Winton Woods High School last season where she averaged 20.1 points and 11 rebounds. She was one of the most heavily recruited players in the country. Little is a finalist for Miss Basketball in Michigan. She is averaging 23.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.9 steals this season.
"Shavelle is a very good, aggressive defensive player," Foster said. "Cherise brings us intangibles. She can shoot the ball. She’s long and wiry. I like long. Lesslee is an aggressive, take-the-ball-to-the-basket kind of player. It’s a nice mix with what we have coming back."
Daniel and Little play point guard for their high-school teams.
"I like versatile guards," Foster said. "I think today players get labeled something and I don’t think they necessarily grow or develop."
Daniel, who accepted the scholarship with her parents Cullen Daniel and Teresa Vinson by her side, can’t wait to grow and develop.
"I’ve played point guard my whole life," she said. "I’m looking forward to playing some two (guard). I’m definitely willing to learn whatever they want me to. I feel like I’ll have a chance to fit in with what they want to do, which is win the national championship."
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