Connecticut Premier Returning To Deep South Classic



Dave Danko will be bringing an experienced, cohesive Connecticut Premier squad to Deep South Classic in April, and Danko is anxious to see what his club can do.

“This team has basically been together since they were nine years old, and they have won the state tournament four of the last five years,” Danko said. “We have nine players on the team, and I really think they all have the talent to pursue their interest in a college playing career on some level.”

The 2015 Deep South Classic will be played in Raleigh, NC on April 24-26. The Deep South Classic, which annually features the nation’s top travel programs, will once again have the entire tournament in one facility — the tremendous Raleigh Convention Center.

“One of the biggest draws with the Deep South is the area and the accessibility of the venue,” Danko said. “The Raleigh Convention Center, having all the games in one place, is a huge plus. You are also in an area where there is a lot to do during your down time. There are a lot of things downtown, and then you have Duke, UNC and NC State right there, and Wake Forest isn’t far away. It’s a beautiful area, and I think it’s good to let the kids see some college campuses.”
Connecticut Premier will be paced in Raleigh by a strong group of prospects from the Class of 2017. The unit will include Shania Osborne (6-0, C), Iliana Kransaqui (5-11, F), Amanda Towey (6-0, WF) and Daja Polk (5-3, PG).
“Shania is a strong, solid workhorse on the inside for us,” Danko said. “She goes after every rebound, she scores on the block, and she has a good jumper from the elbow. Iliana is a big, strong player who can compete inside, and she can step out and shoot the three.
“Amanda is very athletic, and her uncle (John Wallace) played in the NBA. She has long arms and long legs, she can shoot it from beyond the arc, and she can take people off the dribble. Daja is the engine that runs this team. She has great speed and defensive intensity. She is a pass first point guard who gets everyone involved, but she can shoot it.”
Bret McCormick, the analyst for the All Star Girls Report, also offered his perspective on the Premier standouts.
“Osborne is a physical player who is a good rebounder. She scores in the paint, and she has a high motor,” McCormick said. “Kransaqui is a good, strong athlete with skills. She can score inside, and she can step out to the arc. Towey is a long, athletic wing who is good in the open floor, and she has three-point shooting range. Polk is a very quick point guard with a great feel for the game. She makes good decisions, runs the show, and keeps the defense honest with her three-point shot.”