William Fleming is very proud of Desiree Keeling and happy that she will be playing for the active winningest coach in NCAA history Vivian Stringer, "Continue To Strive For Greatness Desiree!" -Coach Champ Hubbard
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/high_schools/fleming-girls-basketball-star-commits-to-rutgers/article_e3633863-0699-5bbc-902b-a05d4a05a37a.html
Posted: Monday, September 29, 2014 12:16 pm
robert.anderson@roanoke.com 981-3123 roanoke.com
Desiree Keeling led William Fleming's girls basketball team to a big accomplishment in March.
Now she is headed to the Big Ten.
Keeling has made an oral commitment to play at Rutgers, choosing the New Jersey school over Temple, George Mason and James Madison.
The 6-foot-2 forward/center led Fleming to the VHSL Group 4A championship game as she was named first-team All-Timesland and first-team all-state after averaging 13.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
At Rutgers, Keeling will play for C. Vivian Stringer, whose 929 career victories in 43 seasons rank her No. 1 among active women's basketball coaches.
Stringer, the first men's or women's coach to take three different schools to a Final Four, has led Rutgers to 14 NCAA tournaments in 20 years. The Scarlet Knights won the WNIT in 2013-14.
"Rutgers was very professional in their approach just like Temple was," Fleming coach Champ Hubbard said. "The deciding factor was she got to meet Vivian Stringer and see how their practice is run."
"She felt like it was definitely a family atmosphere where they're going to take care of her needs off the court and at the same time challenge her to be better."
Keeling had an early scholarship offer from Virginia Tech that Hubbard said was subsequently withdrawn. However, the Fleming coach said the Hokies had re-entered the picture.
"Virginia Tech was back on the table," Hubbard said. "They took their offer away for another recruit, but they had re-initiated some interest."
Hubbard said Rutgers recruited Keeling to play the power forward and center positions.
Keeling has primarily played in the low post for the Colonels during her career. She had 11 points and 15 rebounds in Fleming's 57-50 loss to Lake Taylor in the 4A state final.
"She can play in the high post," Hubbard said. "A lot of times that's overlooked because of her dominance down low."
Hubbard said Keeling must improve her SAT score to gain freshman eligibility. She is scheduled to retake the test in October.
"Everything seems to be pointing to the fact that she will be able to take care of her responsibilities," Hubbard said.
Most of Keeling's games at Rutgers in the far-flung Big Ten will be played on midwest campuses. Maryland is the closest Big Ten school to Roanoke.
"I told her I'd try to get to one or two of her games," Hubbard said. "I'll try."
Fleming opens its 2014-15 season Dec. 5 at Floyd County. The Colonels also will play in tournaments in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Richmond.
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/high_schools/fleming-girls-basketball-star-commits-to-rutgers/article_e3633863-0699-5bbc-902b-a05d4a05a37a.html
Posted: Monday, September 29, 2014 12:16 pm
robert.anderson@roanoke.com 981-3123 roanoke.com
Desiree Keeling led William Fleming's girls basketball team to a big accomplishment in March.
Now she is headed to the Big Ten.
Keeling has made an oral commitment to play at Rutgers, choosing the New Jersey school over Temple, George Mason and James Madison.
The 6-foot-2 forward/center led Fleming to the VHSL Group 4A championship game as she was named first-team All-Timesland and first-team all-state after averaging 13.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
At Rutgers, Keeling will play for C. Vivian Stringer, whose 929 career victories in 43 seasons rank her No. 1 among active women's basketball coaches.
Stringer, the first men's or women's coach to take three different schools to a Final Four, has led Rutgers to 14 NCAA tournaments in 20 years. The Scarlet Knights won the WNIT in 2013-14.
"Rutgers was very professional in their approach just like Temple was," Fleming coach Champ Hubbard said. "The deciding factor was she got to meet Vivian Stringer and see how their practice is run."
"She felt like it was definitely a family atmosphere where they're going to take care of her needs off the court and at the same time challenge her to be better."
Keeling had an early scholarship offer from Virginia Tech that Hubbard said was subsequently withdrawn. However, the Fleming coach said the Hokies had re-entered the picture.
"Virginia Tech was back on the table," Hubbard said. "They took their offer away for another recruit, but they had re-initiated some interest."
Hubbard said Rutgers recruited Keeling to play the power forward and center positions.
Keeling has primarily played in the low post for the Colonels during her career. She had 11 points and 15 rebounds in Fleming's 57-50 loss to Lake Taylor in the 4A state final.
"She can play in the high post," Hubbard said. "A lot of times that's overlooked because of her dominance down low."
Hubbard said Keeling must improve her SAT score to gain freshman eligibility. She is scheduled to retake the test in October.
"Everything seems to be pointing to the fact that she will be able to take care of her responsibilities," Hubbard said.
Most of Keeling's games at Rutgers in the far-flung Big Ten will be played on midwest campuses. Maryland is the closest Big Ten school to Roanoke.
"I told her I'd try to get to one or two of her games," Hubbard said. "I'll try."
Fleming opens its 2014-15 season Dec. 5 at Floyd County. The Colonels also will play in tournaments in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Richmond.
