THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290510
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Athlete of the Week
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
``Big'' wouldn't be the first thought when looking for a description of Erin Duckett. Probably wouldn't be the second or third, either.
But even though the Kempsville point guard is only 5-foot-7, she is one of the biggest players in the Chiefs' lineup. Not in stature, obviously, but in how she plays.
If coach Greg Dunn ever needs big, he knows where to turn.
Duckett, a junior, rapidly has earned a reputation for being one of the best ``big-play'' performers in the area and solidified the position last week by scoring 31 points in three games. She had a combined 27 in back-to-back victories over Princess Anne to help the Chiefs tie the Cavaliers for the Beach District title and then take the top seed in the district tournament and the accompanying automatic berth to the Eastern Region.
For her accomplishments and leadership, she has earned female Athlete of the Week honors from The Virginian-Pilot.
Duckett can hurt opponents in several ways - all of them appearing big when she does them. She has good quickness and ball handling skills to frustrate a crowd of defenders into slapping at air. And as all point guards should, she looks for open teammates first, her own open shot second.
But she can shoot, as her 9.3-point average suggests.
``I'm developing more confidence in my shot and I am looking to shoot a little more,'' Duckett said before the Chiefs 68-41 Eastern Region quarterfinal victory over Booker T. Washington.
``If they give me a shot because they don't think I'm looking to shoot, I'll take it.''
Somewhat more obvious is her defensive play - she forces nearly two turnovers per game - and free-throw shooting - in the two games against the Cavaliers, she was 15 of 19 from the foul line.
``I really get focused in big games, that makes me play bigger,'' Duckett said. ``I want us to win and I try to take the team to another level. So does everybody on this team. I think I can do that with my defense - because I like defending the Misty Colebanks and Shannon Drurys out there - and at the foul line at the end of a game.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Erin Duckett
by CNB