Five of Butler High School's top athletic talents gathered in the Banquet Room last Wednesday to sign to play for several notable universities. Lianna Innocent, Brianna Innocent, Kerry Winchester, Kacie Cassell, and A.J. Pacher put their pens to paper, setting the courses of their collegiate athletic careers. The signing represented the end of an era for Butler's athletic department. For the past four years, each signee have become staples of Butler athletic events and have shined in their respective sports.
The indelible impression left upon the hearts and minds of Butler sports enthusiasts found articulate expression through the voice of athletic director Roger Bowen, who said, "This is a rare moment in Butler sports when we can honor five at the same time in one signing period. I think the most we've done in the nine-years that I've been here is one at a time. Maybe a couple during a season, but never this many."
"We're here to wish them off to a great future and the next step in making a living," Bowen said. "Education goes along with athletics. It's that next step and we're pleased to honor them all."
And, great futures are precisely what these Butler athletes can anticipate, as is evidenced by their glowing résumés.
Kerry Winchester: Winchester signed to play volleyball for Cleveland State. As an outside hitter and middle hitter for Butler's volleyball team, Winchester has distinguished herself as a veritable powerhouse on the court. In 2009, she set the Butler kills record at 294 kills per season. She also set the Butler record for career kills at 835. Overall, Winchester ranked first in kills in the GWOC Conference (North, South, and Central) with 294 kills. The volleyball phenom also attained the First Team GWOC North Player Award, the Third Team OHSVCA Division I All Ohio Player Award, GWOC North Player of the Year Award, and First Team All Conference Player Award. As Butler's 2009 Varsity Team Captain, Winchester led her fellow Lady Aviators to become GWOC North Champions, Sectional Champions, and District Champions.
The rest of Winchester's prep career is equally impressive. As a junior, Winchester was ranked third in kills in the GWOC Conference (North, South, and Central) at 240 kills. She also received the First Team GWOC North Player Award, the Second Team All Conference Player Award, and Butler's 2008 Offensive Player of the Year.
As a sophomore, Winchester was listed as one of the Top Players in South-Western Ohio. She also received the Second Team GWOC All Conference Player Award and the Special Mention All District Player Award.
As a freshman, Winchester received the GWOC Special Mention Player Award and All Conference Special Mention Player Award.
"I am very interested in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy/Exercise Therapy," Winchester said. "My dream has always been to continue playing Volleyball in College while receiving my degree."
Kacie Cassell: Cassell signed to play girls basketball for Akron University. According to the veteran Lady Aviator, she is already developiner her budding skills in lieu of playing for the Akron Zips.
"This year in the off-season, I have focused my attention on lifting and getting stronger to better prepare myself for my senior year and the more physical style of play that I will face next year," Cassell said. "In getting stronger it will make the transition a little easier from high school to college. Also, I believe my past AAU seasons helped me become a better player by going up against some of the best competition in the country. On Sundays, I'm in the gym getting more shots in and working on my ball handling. I don't know what college will be like, but I will continue to work on my game and grow as a player. I hope to be an impact player next year as an Akron Zip, and lead the Zips to our first MAC championship!"
Cassell added, "This year I plan to work more on my leadership skills and become a vocal leader on and off the court. Both coach (John) Schmidt and coach (Jodi) Kest of Akron, believe, as I do, that the point guard is an extension of the coach on the floor and they have confidence in my abilities as the point guard."
While her ostensibly diminutive stature has earned her the nickname "Shorty," Cassell has consistently demonstrated her exceptional offensive aptitude successive season. During her freshman year, she was the second-leading scorer on the team. In fact, Cassell received the Team Award for Best Shooting Percentage (47.6 percent). Her sharp shooting skills earned her Second Team All Conference and First Team in the Dabbelt Report (Division One All-Area Team). She was also the only freshman to make First Team-District Nine Media All Star Team.
During her sophomore year, she ascended to the spot of lead scorer, averaging roughly 10-points a game. In fact, she received the Most Points Team Award (201) and Most Assists (93). Cassell also averaged roughly five to six assists or kills per game. She made First Team All Conference (GWOC), First Team in the Dabbelt Report (Division One All-Area Team), First Team-District 9 Media All Star Team, and Times Community Newspaper All-Area Team for 2007-2008.
In her junior year, Cassell had massed an impressive set of career stats. She had scored 745 points for a 10.6 PPG, performed 282 assists for a 4.03 APG, and executed 179 steals for a 2.56 SPG. Cassell made Second Team All Southwest Ohio, District Nine Co-Player of the Year, First Team-District Nine Media All Star Team, GWOC North Player of the Year, First Team All Conference (GWOC all divisions), First Team All Conference (GWOC North), and First Team Dabbelt Report (Division One All-Area Team). She also received the Team Award for Most Assists (105), Most Points, (312), and Three Point Percentage (35.3 percent).
"I think that this year will be a good year for our team as a whole," Cassell said. "My high school teammates work hard, and push each other and me everyday in practice. Coach Schmidt makes sure we go hard and work in practices. I really appreciate all the time he puts into helping us.
A.J. Pacher: Pacher signed to play boys basketball for Wright State University. Butler basketball enthusiasts have witnessed the prodigy's talents at work firsthand. One of the most powerful exhibitions of Pacher's skills was delivered during Butler's last fray with Piqua on Jan. 30. In the course of that game, Pacher scored a staggering 40-points against the Indians. Pacher's scoring bonanza was broken down into 16 buckets, 5-of-7 free throws, three treys, and 14 rebounds. This record constitutes the third best in Butler's single-game scoring history.
Shortly after this landmark game, Aviator Brandon Walker said, "Our big man, A.J. Pacher, played an awesome game. That's just unbelievable. He's the best big man in our league."
But, this episode provided only a fragmentary glimpse of a broader continuity of achievements for Pacher.
The towering champion was equally prolific in 2008, earning the status of all league player. In addition, from July 20, 2008 to July 24, 2008, Pacher attended Rick Bolus' High Potential Blue Chip Basketball Camp in Georgetown, KY. While there, he established himself as the 6'3" and Up Three-Point Shooting Champ, Hot-Shot Champ, and Best Underclassman. He was also one of 60 kids chosen from 500 to play in the All-Star Game. Even more impressive is the fact that Pacher was the second pick for this elite team. Then, Pacher advanced to the final tournament, where he attained the status of Most Valuable Player.
Lianna and Brianna Innocent: While they are identical twins with equally impressive athletic skills, the Innocent girls' aren't necessarily a packaged deal. As far as their collegiate careers are concerned, the Innocents are assuming divergent trajectories. Lianna signed to play girls basketball for Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. Brianna, on the other hand, signed to play girls basketball for Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.
"I'm really excited about signing with western michigan university!" Brianna said. "Everyone keeps asking Lianna and I if were nervous about splitting up and the truth is we are both very nervous. We have never been away from each other for more than like three days since we were born nine minutes apart! And now, we have to separate for four years! Of course we are nervous, but we figured that we can't stay together forever. We have to split up someday, so we figured that we had the perfect oportunity to start our own lives by going to different colleges."
Although the Innocents have chosen separate paths, they share an athletic heritage stemming from their father, Bernard Innocent. Bernard played college basketball at Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC. and played in France and Spain after being drafted in the first round into the CBA. Unfortunately, the 6'10" basketball phenom succumbed to complications from Chronic Leukemia in December 2000.
But, Bernard's progeny continue to faithfully live up to his daunting legacy, as is evidenced by his daughters' rankings in the class of 2010 at the ESPN Hoopgurlz website. Presently, Lianna is ranked number 41 in the nation and number three in Ohio for the post position. In forward position, Brianna currently ranks number 49 in the nation and number two in Ohio.
"My mom, Shari, and, my grandma, Carolyn, are so proud of my sister and I," Brianna said. "They have been our biggest inspiration and have given us the most support any two people could ever give. Honestly, I think in all combined, they have missed like two games in my whole life (and that includes volleyball and basketball games as well as AAU). So, I could never ask for anything more from them. My sister and I love them so much."
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