Lakota West guard Nia Staples had U17 Team USA tryout

Lakota West 2016 point guard Nia Staples just returned from the Team USA Under-17 tryouts in Colorado Springs where she made the first cut but not the round of 46, according to Lakota West girls' basketball coach Andy Fishman.

Staples, an Enquirer Division I all-area selection last winter, averaged 10.4 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Firebirds, who were a Division I regional runner-up. She had a season-high 20 points against Princeton in the regional final at the Nutter Center March 8.

"Nia's perspective is great knowing it was an awesome opportunity and looks forward to next year's tryout," Fishman said. "She is thankful for the support of her family and the Lakota West community for supporting her trip tot he USA Olympic Development Center."

Staples is one of the most recruited players in Ohio in the 2016 class. She has offers from the Big East, Big Ten, AAC, A-10 and SEC programs, Fishman said.