Naylor all-state senior Hailee Deckard.

By BRAD HURT ~ DAR Sports Writer

Naylor's Hailee Deckard capped off an outstanding high school career with a spot on the Class 2 All-State basketball team for a third straight season.

The point guard averaged a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds a game and displayed a balanced game that also accounted for 8 assists and 4 steals per game as she led the Lady Eagles to the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 playoffs.

"It's a privilege to make it, but it wouldn't be possible without my teammates," Deckard said. "We had a good season but we didn't get as far as we would have liked."

While Deckard has received plenty of recognition for her offensive abilities coach Gene Deckard said her defense is often overlooked.

"Everyone looked at her offense but defensively she played well " he said. "She is good at getting in the passing lanes and getting locked up one-on-one with teams' top scorers."

Perhaps Hailee's best attribute was her ability to create offense for her teammates. Her assist total increased as teams collapsed around her in the post enabling her to send the ball out to the perimeter where her teammates knocked down jump shots.

"Hailee has become very unselfish," coach Deckard said. "She had teammates getting open and she got her teammates playing harder."

Said Hailee, "I focused on penetrating and taking open shots, and trying to get everyone their shots."

After playing only in the post during her freshman season at Doniphan, Deckard moved to the point guard spot where she could use her skills to better prepare herself to be a point guard at the collegiate level. As a sophomore and junior she was also named to the all-state first team.

"We moved her to guard knowing she would probably play guard in college. It helped her get ready for the next level," coach Deckard said.

Deckard will play at Division II University of Missouri-St. Louis next season while majoring in counseling, with the hopes of obtaining a master's degree. The Tritons are coming off a 7-20 season in 2007-08 under first-year coach Lisa Curliss-Taylor.

"I'm looking forward to contributing and working hard," Hailee said.

Asked what she will remember most from her time playing high school basketball, Deckard responded, "All the fun times and being able to make the playoffs."

Coach Deckard said the Lady Eagles will miss Hailee's next season. presence "As a parent, I'm very very proud of her," he said, "but I hate to see her go."