'Offensive-minded' forward from Ohio picks Lady Monarchs

Jackie Cook, a 5-foot-11 forward from Hinckley, Ohio, made a verbal commitment to play for Old Dominion in 2009.

Cook averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds her junior year at Highland High School, where she played 13 games. Considered to be among the top players in northeast Ohio, she made headlines when she changed schools midway through the season.

Cook sat out the rest of her junior year, as required by transfer rules in that area, and will spend her senior year at South Euclid Regina, a private school.

The decision was basketball-related, Cook said. Duke's Shay Selby, one of the top freshmen in the nation, played at Regina last year; the current roster includes two Division I recruits, in addition to Cook.

Cook, who visited with coach Wendy Larry and the Lady Monarchs this past weekend, chose ODU over Middle Tennessee and Mississippi.

"I want to play for future Hall of Fame coach Wendy Larry," said Cook, whose decision was also influenced by the fact that assistant coach Nikita Lowry Dawkins played at Ohio State. "I also loved ODU's winning tradition of 17 Colonial titles and the great location."

Cook played against Lady Monarchs freshman Rachel DeMita of Barberton, Ohio, another Cleveland suburb. The two played on rival teams in high school and were on rival AAU teams. Cook's team, the Ohio Glory, won the Tournament of Champions this past summer in Atlanta.

"She's very offensive minded," said Regina coach Pat Diulus, winner of five state titles at the girls school, which plays as an independent. Diulus said Cook plays both small and power forward for Regina.

"She's... very versatile. She can step out and shoot the 3."

The early signing period begins in November.

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 477-6874, VickiL120@cox.net