Senior Dedication: Kizer Seeks Cardinal District Championship

Lynetta Kizer has an athletic scholarship to one of the finest women's basketball programs in the country, a firm standing as one of the elite players in the Class of 2008 and enough star power that she's appeared on the cover of a magazine.

What the Potomac senior center does not have is a Virginia AAA Cardinal District championship, and she's desperate to get one. The elusive title fueled grueling summer workouts that shed 15 pounds from her 6-foot-3 frame, and it has ignited her play early this season.

Kizer has led the Panthers in scoring in every game she has played, and she did so again Tuesday night with 31 points in a 72-39 victory over host Gar-Field in an important district matchup.

"We set our goals high this year," Kizer said. "The district title is what we're going for, and that's definitely our motivation for every game we play."

Kizer, the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2008 class according to HoopGurlz.com, has garnered adulation wherever she has gone the past three years, whether it be the Nike All-America Camp in Beaverton, Ore., or the USA Basketball Camp in Colorado Springs.

Next year she will play for Maryland, the 2005-06 national champion, and she often signs autographs for children after her games. Still, she has approached this season as if she is just another player in Prince William County with something to prove.

"The scholarship, Maryland -- that's next year," Kizer said. "I have one year left of high school, and I'm playing like I don't have a scholarship right now."

Against Gar-Field, Kizer overwhelmed the Indians with her size, quickness and soft touch around the basket. She made 14 of 20 shots, including a three-pointer, and added 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Potomac (6-5, 2-0) has won four in a row and five of six since it started 1-4. The Panthers have their first opportunity to make a statement in district play when they visit perennial state power Forest Park tomorrow night. Potomac and Kizer have not made it past the semifinals of the district tournament since entering the Cardinal District three seasons ago.

"This season is something we've been preparing for the last two years," Potomac Coach Mike Wilson said.

Gar-Field (6-7, 1-1) crept to 34-30 with 5 minutes 9 seconds left in the third quarter. Kizer scored nine points to key a 19-5 run that closed the quarter. She added nine points in the fourth on a variety of spin moves, pull-up jumpers and aggressive layups.

Potomac sophomore guard Kyana Jacobs had 17 points and Kizer's younger sister, Quiana, added 8 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks and 3 steals.

"We've been growing, and this was just the latest example," Lynetta Kizer said.