Deer Park High School Announces Gabrielle Downey as New Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Deer Park High School proudly announces the appointment of Gabrielle Downey as the new head coach for the girls varsity basketball team.

Coach Downey brings a wealth of experience and an illustrious basketball career to Deer Park High School. A renowned figure in Cincinnati basketball lore, Downey's journey through the sport has been marked by excellence and achievement at every level.

As a standout player, Coach Downey made her mark early on the courts of Forest Park High School, leading her team to victory in the 1984 Division 1 state championship and earning the prestigious title of Ohio State Tournament MVP. Throughout her high school career, Downey boasted an impressive record of 90-8, showcasing her prowess with 1,107 points scored and 718 rebounds secured, all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. Coach Downey was honored as the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Post player of the year in 1994 and was also nationally recognized during the 1984-1985 season receiving an honorable mention as an All-American by USA Today.

Her stellar performance on the court continued into her collegiate years at Miami University, where Downey etched her name into the school's basketball history books. She remains one of only nine players to have surpassed 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in her career. Downey's leadership was instrumental in guiding her team to victory as captain and MVP of the 1990 MAC Championship team, which posted an impressive 23-5 record. Coach Downey’s achievements at Miami University have landed her a place in the university’s Hall of Fame.

Beyond her playing days, Coach Downey has established herself as a respected coach, with a successful tenure at Milford High School where she earned the prestigious title of 1997 GMC Female Coach of the Year. After a brief hiatus to focus on her family, Downey returned to coaching, making impactful contributions at Princeton, Mariemont, Sycamore and most recently, Winton Woods High School.

Her commitment to the development of student-athletes and her unparalleled knowledge of the game make Downey a fitting choice to lead the Deer Park High School girls varsity basketball team. The school is honored and thrilled to welcome Winton Woods-Green Hills-Forest Park Hall of Famer, Miami University Hall of Famer, and Cincinnati LaRosa’s Hall of Famer Gabrielle Downey as their newest head coach, confident that her leadership will inspire greatness both on and off the court.

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