TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE Deville, Leetonia look for regional repeat

The senior center has signed a letter of intent with the University of Akron.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LEETONIA -- Replacing Jessica Deville will be a tall order for the Leetonia High girls basketball team.
Luckily, the Bears don't have to worry about it.
Yet.
Deville, a 6-foot, 1-inch senior center, will look to lead the Bears back into the regional tournament for the fourth straight season before continuing her career at the University of Akron.
"It's been awesome to get into the regional all three years," said Deville, who averaged 19.4 points per game last season. "We have been to the regional semifinals every year since I've played, but never won it."
The Bears reached the regional finals twice, but Deville says that this year's team has a lot of younger, inexperienced players.
Still, the Bears are looking to surprise some people.
"We want to have another successful season this year and try to get back there again," Deville said.
All-around success
Deville plans to major in pre-medicine at Akron in hopes of one day becoming a surgeon.
She's off to a good start.
Deville has a 4.0 grade-point average, despite taking classes such as calculus, physics, advanced biology, advanced English, government and Spanish IV.
She's the editor of the Leetonia yearbook, was on homecoming court, belongs to the National Honor Society, and Students Against Destructive Decisions and is president of Leetonia's student council.
Deville is also a member of the Ruriteens (a junior version of Ruritan), doing community service activities such as raking leaves around the neighborhood.
She'll be involved with the Relay for Life next spring.
"I want to be a role model and a leader for our younger kids coming along," Deville said.
Somehow, she's also found time for basketball.
Deville has been involved with AAU basketball for the past five seasons, including the past two years with the North Coast Vipers.
The league has given her an opportunity to face different types of competition and work on her game.
Seeing improvement
"Deville as a freshman was a skinny 5-10 center, who gained some weight her sophomore year, and since then has progressed a lot and gotten stronger," said Leetonia coach Jerry Beltempo, who has coached her all four years.
Beltempo, who led the Bears to a 19-6 record and a berth in the Division IV regional semifinals last season, said Deville is a good inside shooter, who has improved her outside shot over the past few years.
"She's well-mannered, smart on the court, conscientious and works hard at where she wants to get," Beltempo said.
And if she wants to get back to the regional tournament, she'll have to carry an even bigger load this season.
Luckily, she has Beltempo to lean on.
"He is always planning ahead and working with us to do whatever we need to do to win," she said.
miller@vindy.com