Hammond signs with Rio Grande
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD – Kate Hammond, McClain's third all-time leading girls basketball scorer, signed her National Letter of Intent to play collegiate basketball with the Rio Grande Red Storm.
Hammond, who was selected to the Associated Press Second Team All-State, helped take the Lady Tigers to the SE District Finals this past season and to the Sweet 16 two seasons ago.
The current MHS senior also was first-team All-SCOL (South Central Ohio League), AP All-SE District and Coaches District 14 this season.
Hammond played post for a majority of her career at MHS, but now will switch over to a guard position for the Red Storm, who play in the NAIA.
"Kate was a four-year varsity starter for the program and she has worked her way up to this situation of playing at the college level," McClain head coach Dennis Overstake said. "At the colleges she looked at, Rio Grande was the best fit for her.
"Kate has the ability to attack and slash to the basket of the dribble. They (Rio Grande) will have bigger players playing the post."
Overstake also told The Highland County Press Hammond isn't a player that is just replaced.
"Kate was here every summer working to get better. She would be working out individually or at team functions as we went through scrimmages. She also played with AAU teams, playing throughout the state.
"To get a player like Kate, you have to wait several years for someone like that to come along. Coach Gossett and Coach Haines helped Kate tremendously during her time in the program."
Hammond scored over 1,000 points in four seasons at the varsity level.
This season, the senior averaged 13.2 points per game.
"Not only was she good at shooting, but she improved defensively. With her ability and size we were able to play Kate against the other team's best player.
"We all are very proud of Kate. We are proud of her accomplishments and proud she has taken her game to the next level."
During her high school career, the McClain standout earned First-Team All-SCOL honors all four years, along with All-SE District honors for four straight year, including first-team her junior and senior seasons.
In a release from the Rio Grande Athletic Department, Hammond said: "I'm excited to sign. It's been a dream of mine since I was a freshman to play ball in college."
Rio Grande head coach David Smalley spoke about Hammond.
"Kate has a pretty good basketball I.Q.," he said. "With Kate, it's just a matter if time, how quickly she adapts to our system and to the college game and basically how long it takes her to get a little more physical, get a little stronger and be able to handle the rigors of the college style."[[In-content Ad]]
Hammond, who was selected to the Associated Press Second Team All-State, helped take the Lady Tigers to the SE District Finals this past season and to the Sweet 16 two seasons ago.
The current MHS senior also was first-team All-SCOL (South Central Ohio League), AP All-SE District and Coaches District 14 this season.
Hammond played post for a majority of her career at MHS, but now will switch over to a guard position for the Red Storm, who play in the NAIA.
"Kate was a four-year varsity starter for the program and she has worked her way up to this situation of playing at the college level," McClain head coach Dennis Overstake said. "At the colleges she looked at, Rio Grande was the best fit for her.
"Kate has the ability to attack and slash to the basket of the dribble. They (Rio Grande) will have bigger players playing the post."
Overstake also told The Highland County Press Hammond isn't a player that is just replaced.
"Kate was here every summer working to get better. She would be working out individually or at team functions as we went through scrimmages. She also played with AAU teams, playing throughout the state.
"To get a player like Kate, you have to wait several years for someone like that to come along. Coach Gossett and Coach Haines helped Kate tremendously during her time in the program."
Hammond scored over 1,000 points in four seasons at the varsity level.
This season, the senior averaged 13.2 points per game.
"Not only was she good at shooting, but she improved defensively. With her ability and size we were able to play Kate against the other team's best player.
"We all are very proud of Kate. We are proud of her accomplishments and proud she has taken her game to the next level."
During her high school career, the McClain standout earned First-Team All-SCOL honors all four years, along with All-SE District honors for four straight year, including first-team her junior and senior seasons.
In a release from the Rio Grande Athletic Department, Hammond said: "I'm excited to sign. It's been a dream of mine since I was a freshman to play ball in college."
Rio Grande head coach David Smalley spoke about Hammond.
"Kate has a pretty good basketball I.Q.," he said. "With Kate, it's just a matter if time, how quickly she adapts to our system and to the college game and basically how long it takes her to get a little more physical, get a little stronger and be able to handle the rigors of the college style."[[In-content Ad]]