Basketball season came to a premature end for Pulaski Robinson’s Damonique Miller, but the 5-11 forward has managed to keep herself busy and with good reason.
Miller signed with the University of Memphis last fall and has continued to stay in shape since her high school season ended last month.
“I’ve been working out,” Miller said. “My dad has been helping me with some skills and drills. I’ve been working on my dribbling, things like that.”
Miller will get one more chance to show off her entire array of basketball skills at the 15th annual All-Metro Classic at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.
The games will showcase the talents of high school seniors from schools located in Pulaski County. Fifty-one seniors (26 boys and 25 girls) were invited to play in tonight’s games. Each game will be played in two 20-minute halves.
Miller’s season ended when Pulaski Robinson lost in the district quarterfinals, falling one game short of advancing to the regionals.
She did, however, take some consolation in the fact that two of Robinson’s 4A-7 opponents played each other in the Class 4A state championship game last week at the Summit Arena in Hot Springs.
There’s no doubt we played in the toughest conference,” said Miller, who averaged 18.5 points a game this season for the Lady Senators. “It did make me feel somewhat better that two teams from our conference played for a state title, but not really because it wasn’t us.”
Miller said the main goal tonight is to have fun, but she also said she has something to prove as well.
“I do want to be seen and I want to represent my school,” Miller said.
The girls game is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m. The home team for tonight’s game will be coached by William Roundtree of Jacksonville; the visiting team will be coached by eStem’s Neci Howard, who guided the Lady Mets to the Class 3A state title last week.
The boys game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start. The home team will be coached by Pulaski Academy’s Roger Franks. The visiting team will be coached by Little Rock Christian’s Austin Tremley.
All-Metro Classic rosters
BOYS TEAM FRANKS Joe Aikens, North Pulaski Sergio Berkley, Jacksonville Kendall Donnerson, Maumelle Gregg Easter, LR Hall Chibu Ekeh, North Little Rock Deshun Gray, LR Fair Jason Hendrix, LR Parkview Chad Michaelis, Pulaski Academy Dillon Newkirk, Arkansas Baptist Antonio Pointer, LR Fair William Pollock, Episcopal Marcus Wallace, Pulaski Academy Charles Washington, LR Parkview TEAM TREMLEY Anton Beard, North Little Rock Anthony Black, LR Hall Alex Caroom, LR Christian Sean Corrothers, LR Central Shaquon Fletcher, Mills Cole Hendrixson, LR Christian Kaanan Jackson, Jacksonville Daryl Macon, LR Parkview Kylon Nichols, LR Central Noah Patterson, Arkansas Baptist Demarcus Rhodes, LR Hall Edward Robinson, Pulaski Robinson Kaylon Tappin, LR Hall GIRLS TEAM ROUNDTREE Keaundra Alcorn, Jacksonville Markela Bryles, Jacksonville Jasmine Cashaw, LR Central Princess Cole, LR Hall Taylor Collins, LR Hall Carlee Earls, LR Christian Morgan Fimpel, Maumelle Courtney Hines, LR Central Mackie Kuhn, Pulaski Academy Sacha Richardson, Jacksonville Tiffany Smith, Jacksonville Kiara Webb, North Little Rock TEAM HOWARD Kea-Kea Collins, eStem Anquinette Dozier, LR Hall Alexis Ellis, Maumelle Dajha Hardamon, North Little Rock Christyal Holloway, LR Parkview Taylor Lewis, LR Central Damonique Miller, Pulaski Robinson Falan Miller, CAC Olivia McWilliams, eStem Becca Mosler, eStem Rachel Ruddell, LR Christian Brittany Rufus, LR Central Chloe Washington, LR CentralAll-Metro Classic WHERE Arkansas Baptist College, Little Rock WHEN 6 p.m. girls, 8 p.m. boys TICKETS $8 adults, $5 students, 12 & under free INTERNET Games will be streamed live on csnsports.com
Sports, Pages 22 on 03/18/2014