Junior forward Danielle Dempsey is the main reason Oak Lawn can push the ball up the floor in transition so effectively.
According to coach Mark Sevedge, it’s toughness that allows her to corral defensive rebounds, then get the ball in the hands of teammates for shots before the defense can even set up.
It’s a pretty big deal for the Spartans.
“Her rebounding ability on the defensive end is enormous,” Sevedge said. “That starts our transition game. Her ability to lead that fast break is key for us.”
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That gives teammates like senior guard Maeve Hassett and junior guard Teagan Krzystof opportunities to do what they do best — shoot.
Hassett, for one, holds the program record for 3-pointers made in a game with nine.
“I think it’s really just that she’s very aggressive and determined and she demands the ball,” Hassett said of Dempsey. “She wants the ball and she comes to get the ball.
“She’s very good at what she does.”
The 5-foot-9 Dempsey is averaging 9.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Spartans (14-12, 8-2), who are in second place in the South Suburban Red.
She’s also a three-sport athlete, a rarity these days, playing golf in the fall and softball in the spring.
But basketball was, and continues to be, her first love. Her mom and aunt both coached girls for Oak Lawn, while her dad coached on the boys side.
“I remember going to games as young as I can remember,” Dempsey said. “I really got into basketball in third grade and it just went from there.”
Although she plays power forward now, as a youngster, Dempsey was mostly a point guard. By the time she got to sixth grade, she started moving into the post and sometimes center.
Dempsey, Krzystof and junior guard Jacky Canales were immediate varsity members as freshmen after participating in several summers of Oak Lawn camps and playing together at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School.
Even back then, Sevedge knew Dempsey had something special.
“What stood about her game is she’s just got a toughness about her where she’s not going to back down,’ he said. “She wasn’t going to be afraid. She’s physical. She would rebound the ball.”
As with virtually any freshman on varsity, there were nerves for Dempsey, but Kate Dillon and Mia Kennelly were upperclassmen at the time and took her under their collective wing.
“They made my freshman year better,” Dempsey said. “I was always a quiet kid, even growing up, so it took me time to get comfortable.
“They made sure I was OK and that I deserved to be on varsity. They gave me reassurances even if I made a mistake.”
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Hassett was a sophomore when Dempsey broke in as a freshman and ended up starting most of the season.
“It’s scary … she’s playing with older girls,” Hassett said. “But she played like no one was watching.”
Dempsey is paying that kindness forward this season by making an effort to work closely with sophomore guard/forward Bianca Fleitas to increase her comfort level.
That speaks to Dempsey’s leadership philosophy.
“I always want to be the person the younger ones can go to,” she said. “I want to be able to lead the team and be the older sister if they need anything.
“I want to help them feel comfortable and safe in our program.”
What’s next?
The playoffs, of course, where Dempsey feels Oak Lawn will be aided by the conference schedule. Then there’s senior year, but she’s already thinking beyond high school.
“I’m mostly thinking of going into basketball,” she said. “It’s the sport I’ve loved the most out of all three of them. My heart has always gone to basketball first.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.