Danielle Dempsey has a big decision to make.
Two of them, actually.
The Oak Lawn senior has cycled from golf to basketball to softball throughout her prep career, competing at a high level in every season. With basketball winding down and softball just around the corner, she’s sorting out her college options.
“I’m still deciding what sport,” Dempsey said after scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds in a 65-14 road win over Richards on Jan. 30.
She at least knows what she won’t be doing at the next level.
“Golf is more the fun sport,” he said.
But the other two sports are still in play, so to speak. She has visited North Central for basketball and Benedictine for softball.
And then there’s the possibility of going to Moraine Valley and playing both sports.
“I’ve been doing both these sports for maybe 10-plus years,” Dempsey said. “So it’s so hard just to pick one.”
Already a two-time all-conference pick in basketball, she has worked to raise her game this season.
“I feel like I got a lot better at looking up the floor and just being able to pass to my teammates,” Dempsey said,
Her outside shooting is another strength: Dempsey hit a trio of 3-pointers in the Richards win.
“I spent the whole summer working on my form and getting my hands straight instead of pushing it,” Dempsey said. “That’s definitely something I’ve been working on, even (during) this season. I still try to work on getting my shot right.”
She also has grown in ways that don’t show up in the box score, according to coach Mark Sevedge.
“Danielle has learned in the last year how to be a leader,” Sevedge said. “Her intensity, the way she plays, the physicality — she doesn’t back down from anybody. She’s always had that in her and now she just takes it to another level. …
“She shares the ball, she’s really good at throwing it ahead in transition. She does a lot of good things.”
Dempsey is part of a nine-member senior class that has been exceptionally successful. The Spartans went 18-13 last season, winning a share of their fourth straight South Suburban Red title. After beating Richards, they were 16-8 overall and 7-2 in the conference despite having to navigate around some injuries.
Junior guard Bianca Flietas suffered a Grade 2 MCL tear in the season opener, but has returned with a minutes restriction as she gets back into game shape. Then senior point guard Jackie Canales suffered a broken wrist on Dec. 19.
Saying goodbye to these seniors is “heartbreaking,” Sevedge said, “They’re going to be real tough to replace.”