Andre DeanBasketball

Aviano

Last week: Dean, a 5-foot-7 sophomore point guard, scored 28 points Friday and 21 Saturday in fueling unbeaten Aviano to 67-45 and 55-46 victories over the visiting American Overseas School of Rome Falcons.

If you’re saying to yourself that private schools such as AOSR aren’t usually all that competitive in basketball, forget it, advises Aviano coach Ken McNeely.

“They’re a good team,” McNeely said by telephone on Saturday. “(AOSR center Chris) Frank (28 points, 30 rebounds and six blocked shots in the two games) is 6-7. He’s just a freshman.”

Dean proved an effective antidote to Frank’s production, according to McNeely.

“What was great about Dean’s games were that he was nine-of-nine from the (free-throw) line on Friday and eight-of-nine on Saturday,” McNeely said. “When they foul him on the penetration, he makes them pay for it.”

Dean made the AOSR pay on defense, too, with five steals Friday and four Saturday.

Dean and his Saints will be trying for a sweep of the private schools this weekend when they host Marymount International of Rome.

Jazmine MillerBasketball

AFNORTH

Last week: Miller, a 5-foot-7 senior shooting guard, registered a triple-double — 14 points, 11 steals and 10 rebounds — Saturday in a 30-20 victory at London Central to help the Lady Lions complete an England-trip sweep for their first two victories of the season.

“She was awesome last weekend,” AFNORTH coach Darwin McDonald said by telephone on Wednesday. “In the two games, she scored 38 points, had 16 rebounds and 14 steals.”

McDonald said Miller took 42 shots over the weekend, exactly what the doctor ordered.

“We want her to let it fly,” he said.

Even so, “she’s not selfish. Most of those shots came off steals,” McDonald said. “She’d steal the ball and score off the fast break.”

As the steals attest, Miller had her usual impressive defensive effort, according to her coach.

“She’s very smart defensively,” he said. “She anticipates where the ball is going.”

— Selected by Stars and Stripes staff

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