What I did on my summer vacation: Yolanda Richardson

Yolanda Richardson

WHAT SHE DID: Richardson worked out at Super Fitness Health Club in Toledo. She practiced post moves and shooting with Start assistant coach Sean Flemmings. She led Start to a 23-4 record over five summer tournaments. The Spartans finished 4-0 at Whitmer, 5-1 at Bluffton College, 5-1 at Smithville, 5-1 at Owens and 4-1 at Pickerington (losing by five points to Pickerington North, a Division I state semifinalist in 2006).

HOW IT HELPED: It helped me by staying focused and being able to get stronger. That way I won t be playing the same way as last season and I ll play stronger and wiser. It helped out our team because we built great chemistry, Richardson said. It helped us know how each other plays because we have new members on our team. We got to feel each other out on the court so by the season we won t be so new to it.

OUTLOOK: Richardson has attracted interest from Division I programs such as Toledo, Bowling Green, Notre Dame and Miami (Ohio). She was also invited to participate in the Keystone State Shootout in September at Franklin & Marshall College. The shootout is designed to expose top prep players from the Middle-Atlantic states to college coaches. Last year, Richardson, a 6-foot-1 post player, was named All-City and averaged 13.7 points and 13.3 rebounds a game to go along with 7.7 blocked shots. She was at her best in the postseason when the Spartans advanced to the district. Richardson posted a triple-double (14 points, 12 rebounds, 10 blocks) in a district semifinal win over Bowsher. Richardson was just as strong (21 points, 19 rebounds) in the district final, although the Spartans fell to Central Catholic.