Leonard decides to stay home and play for the Comets

Sunday, April 10, 2005
Cottey College basketball coach Dave Ketterman shows Nevada High School senior Lacy Leonard where to sign her letter-of-intent to play basketball for the Comets next season. (Front row, from left) Lacy's brother Matt Leonard, her father Brent Leonard, Lacy and her mother Julie Leonard. (Back row) Nevada assistant coach Jack Tudor, Ketterman, Nevada head coach Brent Bartlett and assistant coach Allison Gorman.

By Joe Warren

Nevada Herald

It was the best of both worlds for Vernon County sports fans as Nevada Lady Tiger standout Lacy Leonard signed a letter-of-intent Friday to play basketball for the hometown Cottey Comets next season.

Leonard, the sixth leading scorer in Lady Tiger history, decided to go to Cottey because of the chance to play right away and her familiarity with second-year Comets head coach Dave Ketterman.

"I wanted somewhere where I could play, and help the team," Leonard said. "I know Coach Ketterman well, I like him a lot."

Leonard talked about having Ketterman as a teacher in middle school and as a swimming coach in high school. Leonard also was able to attend some of Cottey's games this season and she came away impressed.

"I liked his coaching style," she said. "And I think the team could have great potential."

Potential is a word Ketterman used when describing the 5-11 forward.

"She stands to get better and better," Ketterman said. "We'd like to change her game from more of a back-to-the-basket player into more of a facing-the-basket player. That would allow her to develop into a small or power forward that could help her go to a four-year school."

Ketterman was confident Leonard could handle the style change.

"One of the things I liked about Lacy is that she runs the floor in transition very well," he said.

Ketterman was impressed with the way Leonard worked with Nevada point guard Hillary Adams the past few years. Adams was always looking for Leonard running the floor, capitalizing on Leonard's ability to finish.

Of course Adams is already committed to a four-year school, as she prepares to play for Truman State next season.

"I'm working on finding a point guard that plays like that," Ketterman said.

Leonard averaged 16.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game this past season. She shot 55.8 percent from the field and 81 percent from the free-throw line.

Ketterman has had Leonard on his radar since before the season started, scouting her at many games this season.

"I can't think of another player that I'd rather sign," he said.

Leonard's family is happy she will be staying close to home.

"We get to keep watching more games," Brent Leonard, Lacy's dad, said.

"It's going to be an easy transition for Lacy and an easier transition for us," her mom, Julie, said. "She'll have all the family support that she's had throughout her basketball career."

Brent Leonard was proud of the choice his daughter made when it comes to getting an education.

"Cottey will give her just as fine an education as anyplace," he said.

Nevada Lady Tiger coach Brent Bartlett was like a proud papa watching the second player from this season's team go on to play basketball in college.

"It's tremendous for our program," Bartlett said. "It's tremendous for her to go on (to play). This is something she's wanted to do. It's been an honor to be her coach."

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