October 29, 2010
Blake makes her choice
Antoinette Blake averaged a double-double last season at Marist.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
Antoinette Blake grew up in a culture of winning. So when it was time for the talented 6-foot-1 forward to decide on college, on-court success was at the top on the list of priorities.
Coming off of a 37-1 record and a trip to the Division II Final Four a season ago, Gannon University fit the bill. It became a natural fit as Blake recent gave a verbal commitment to the Pennsylvania school and will sign a letter of intent on the Nov. 10 signing day.
“I know winning as well as losing, it builds character, but I like to win,” said Blake who also received interest from Boston University and multiple Division I and Division II schools. “Winning, for me, should be a part of everyday life. I don’t take well to losing. Going to a college that wasn’t winning wasn’t second nature to me. It had to be a winning program with something behind it.”
For Blake that competitive nature was fueled at a young age when she would compete against the boys, including her older brother Anthony, a former standout lineman at St. Peter’s Prep who went on to play at Southern Connecticut State University.
“Growing up I was the only little girl who played sports or the only little girl who did stuff,” Antoinette said. “So I always had to get thrown in with the rest of the boys.
“Growing up with boys, things get rough. When you play with boys you don’t get the ticky-tack fouls and stuff like that. It makes you a lot tougher.”
Blake has used that toughness to one of the area’s premier post players. A double-double machine, Blake averaged 13.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and four blocks per game for a Marist squad which went 15-9 a season ago.
The expectations on Blake, a Hudson County Varsity All-County Second Team selection, are especially high as she enters the season as the Royal Knights’ lone senior.
Blake has emerged as an on-court leader this offseason with an aggressive and competitive attitude.
“You can see the personality of the team is starting to take on her personality, which is what you ask for from a leader,” head coach Damel Ling said. “The example she’s setting and then the attitude she has when she comes to the gym, makes everybody hungry.”
Blake has seen what can be accomplished at Marist. As a freshman she was a reserve on the 2007-08 Royal Knights team which won the HCIAA Coviello and NJSIAA Non-Public, North B titles.
With a title to her name and scholarship already in hand, some players might be content heading into their senior season. For Blake, rather than become complacent, the competitiveness to get better has only continued to grow.
“Even though I know where I’m going, I have to work just as hard as a senior,” Blake said. “I never want anybody to look at me and think ‘why does she have a full ride to college?’”
“She’s always going to be hungry,” Ling said. “No matter what you put in front of her, she’s going to tackle it and accomplish whatever goals you put out in front of her.”