Illinois native will add 'Power' to Penn roster

Erin Power was hardly the only one ecstatic when the University accepted her early decision in December.

So was David Power - her father and basketball coach at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois.

And head coach Pat Knapp and the rest of the women's basketball program might have cracked some smiles, even in the midst of another rough season.

And why not? Power is shaping up as one of Penn's most talented recruits in recent years.

"I am anxiously awaiting arriving at Penn and starting the season with a new coach and new

players," an excited Power said. "I think it will be a great four years."

The 6-foot-1 Power hails from a powerhouse basketball program in the Fenwick Friars. At the beginning of the season, Full Court Press, a women's basketball news site, ranked Fenwick the No. 9 team in the nation - the top team in Illinois. Thus far, the Friars have lived up to their billing, compiling a perfect 17-0 record.

While Power does not make any headlines for her point production, she prides herself on becoming the John Stockton of Illinois girls' high-school basketball. Power, who has taken on a point guard role for Fenwick despite her size, leads the team with 10.8 assists per game. At that pace, by season's end, Power will end up second all-time for career assists in Illinois.

"Erin, sometimes to a fault, is a tremendous team player," the elder Power said. "She'd rather have 12 assists than 20 points. She can score, but if someone is open for a brief moment she delivers the ball right on the money."

Power's passing could create some much-needed scoring opportunities for a Penn offense that averages just 59.8 points per game. That said, with the Red and Blue losing their top three scorers to graduation - including 1,000-point scorer Joey Rhoads - putting points on the boar will undoubtedly be a top priority for the newcomer.

But while scoring has never been her forte, Power remains confident in her shooting abilities.

"My dad always says that I have the ability to score, but I'm on a team that's ranked very high, . so I don't really need to score for my team to win," she said. "When I play in a different situation, like Penn, where by my scoring I will help my team to win, I think the way I play basketball will change."

Power's talent could well be overlooked, as she is just one part of the powerful senior quartet leading Fenwick this winter. Classmate Devereaux Peters has already committed to Notre Dame, while highly touted Alison Jackson will go to Ohio State (currently ranked at No. 6).

With her admission to Penn, Power will become part of two groups she has had her sights on for a long time: a Knapp-led basketball team and a renowned academic institution.

The Powers first met Penn's coach when he was leading Georgetown. Several years ago, Knapp recruited Fenwick's Kristin Heidloff. In the process, he befriended coach Power and has kept an eye on Erin ever since.

The Penn athletic department declined to make the coach available for comment on the new recruit.

"Coach Knapp [coaches basketball] like my father, . so the transition should be easy," Power said. "Both have their plays, but if you have the ability as the team to run and get the up-and-down game going, they both like to take advantage of that. They're both really smart coaches and . focus on the strengths of their team and use it to their full advantage."

Power also considered Division I programs Princeton and Marquette, but ultimately chose Penn because of the intellectual environment.

"Erin is always, first and foremost, a student," Power's father said. "She'd like to pursue business. She fell in love immediately with [Penn's] campus and the people. While the kids were studious, they were down to earth."

In addition to her accomplishments in basketball, Power set four Fenwick track records, and will graduate with the most varsity letters in the history of Fenwick High School, with 13 from basketball, track, cross-country, and soccer.

But it is on the floor of the Palestra where she will have the chance to make the biggest splash when she comes to campus next year.

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