The stereotype of a point guard is someone who handles the ball and would just as soon not be anywhere around the paint unless they’re driving to the hoop.
Cece Hamilton isn’t your stereotypical point guard.
It took the senior guard from North nearly her entire high school career, but she finally recorded her first double-double last week. In fact, she recorded two of them.
She’s a point guard, so she had double-doubles in points and assists, right?
No.
Points and REBOUNDS.
Hamilton had double-doubles in wins over Lake Catholic and Geneva last week, with a combined 28 points, 21 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks. She also five 3-pointers and was 9 of 12 from the foul line.
News-Herald players of the week for Jan. 6
"Um, honestly, crashing the boards is a big emphasis of Coach Force's for our team," Hamilton said. "That's huge. Not a lot of teams crash, so it's about crashing, boxing out and jumping to high-point the rebound. I want to get it and go - set up the offense as quick as I can.
"Last week we my first (double-double) I've ever had. I didn't think I was capable of that."
The rebounding thing isn't a one-week trick, either. At 7.6 rebounds per game, Hamilton — a 5-foot-7 guard — is North's leading rebounder through seven games. She also averages 11.4 points, 3.1 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
With the graduation of two Division I college players the past two years — Destiny Leo to Cleveland State and Abby Carter to Akron — Hamilton said being a bigger contributor in her senior season was a responsibility she put on herself, even with high-scoring Kailey Minch transferring in from South.
"I went in knowing I had to contribute way more on offense and defense," Hamilton said. "Destiny and Abby are two amazing players I got to play with and I look up to them. But I knew I had to do anything I could for us to win."
That mindset, to go along with her productivity and basketball IQ, are likely reasons why she is heading to Hiram College to continue her education and basketball career after high school. She plans on majoring in marketing and business with the Terriers.
"It's close to where I live, that's a big part," she said of her college choice. "It's important for my parents to be close enough to see me play. Taylor Valaitis plays there, too, and I played with her my freshman year. I just love the atmosphere. It reminds me a lot of North."
Said Coach Paul Force of Hamilton, "Ce is a great leader and representative of our Basketball Family at North. She has worked very hard to get where she is as a player and we are excited that she has the opportunity to continue her basketball career in college (Hiram)."
As her senior year winds down, Hamilton is counting her blessings. Among them are her first two double-doubles.
"It's honestly the best experience I've ever had," she said. "I got to win districts, made it to the elite eight ... I got to be part of some tough losses, but they taught me a lot and made me a better player and better person.
"Basketball is the best part of my high school career."
