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LET’S BE FRANK: The rainmakers of coach O’s reign at Country Day

By: Scott Burnstein, March 25, 2019, 3:45 pm

The Godfather of girls basketball in the MHSAA, the venerable Frank Orlando, who has led the nationally-prominent Birmingham Detroit Country Day program for the past 38 years, called it a career last week. Orlando, a true legend’s legend, won a state record 797 games and 13 state championships.

Let’s honor his historic legacy by looking back at the most lethal weapons he ever coached:

 

The Frank Orlando Top 15 — The Best Girls Hoopsters of DCD’s Glorious “Coach O” Era

1 Peggy Evans (Class of 1990) — Pure domination in every way.

2 Aerial Powers (Class of 2012) — A transcendent talent out of the backcourt.

3 Destiny Pitts (Class of 2017) — Cash money playmaker, leader and young lady.

4 Jennifer Thomas (Class of 1998) — Total terror in the frontcourt.

5 Kaela Webb (Class of 2018) — No. 1 floor general of the Orlando Era, shake-and-bake point guard who was the definition of a winner.

6 Amber Moore (Class of 2009) — Always on time with her play, brought the pain on the perimeter.

7 Carrie Moore (Class of 2003) — Natural scorer with few if any equals in Coach O’s tenure on the bench.

8 Elise Morrison (Class of 2003) — Firecracker in the middle, a double-double machine.

9 Madison Williams (Class of 2010) — They called her the “Big Classy” for a reason, complete devastation patrolling the paint.

10 Kim Wilburn (Class of 2002) — The definition of high-motor, high hoop IQ at the point.

11 Kristin Morris (Class of 2005) — Tough as nails, nasty as she wanted to be.

12 Amber Deane (Class of 2012) — Smooth as silk, sharp as an ice pick.

13 Katherine Hanks (Class of 1999) — Killer in the open floor, grinder on the glass.

14 Tiera Delahoussaye (Class of 2004) — Very versatile, very hard to guard.

15 (tie) Katie Kerr (Class of 1996) — Savvy, gutty floor general who was the epitome of a coach on the court.

15 (tie) Asia Doss (Class of 2014) — Lightning in a bottle type at the helm of offense.