Whiz Kid: Dakota Sloop

Whiz Kid’s Name, Age: Dakota Sloop, 17

Whiz Kid’s School:

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishment: One of the core leaders for the injury-plagued Trojans, who have been without Christina Welsh and Taylor Swanson after both players suffered season-ending injuries in late January.

Whiz Kid’s Key to Awesomeness: The 5-foot-8 senior has stepped it up  recently for the Trojans, recording 13 points and 10 rebounds in a 45-35 victory over Kennedy on Feb. 9. That has been Weston's only win since Welsh and Swanson went down against New Fairfield on Jan. 25.

Through Feb.14, Sloop was averaging 6.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while becoming more of a vocal leader  for the Trojans. 

She is starting for the first time since joining the varsity as a freshman with teammates Welsh, Hannah Hutchins, Ellie Martin and Lianna Hursh.

“I’ve seen it from the beginning,” Sloop said. “I’ve just immersed history as a player."

As one of the oldest players on the squad, first-year Weston coach Dan Rosen has seen Sloop's confidence grow during her four years at the school.

According to Rosen, the keys to Sloop’s success are her size, strength and natural skill on the boards.

“Dakota uses her size and strength,” Rosen said. “She has a nice touch finishing around the basket.”

Sloop's younger sister Shawnee is a sophomore reserve for the Trojans.

"We’re all really close friends,” Dakota Sloop added. “We don’t have any drama within our team.”

The older sibling also has played AAU basketball for the Connecticut Blazers the past two years under former Weston head coach Pat Cole.

“Dakota is someone the young girls in our program look up to," Rosen said. "She’s been a real positive influence for the Weston community and is also having fun in basketball, which has transformed into success for our team."