Inspiration and magic: Former Placer hoops star to be inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame

For her basketball success at Placer High School and the University of San Diego, Polly Dong (class of 2001) will be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame on April 29. A ball-handling magician and 3-point shooter, Dong played four years of varsity basketball for the Lady Hillmen. In her first year at Placer, she was the only freshman on the varsity team. "All the girls acted as big sisters, driving me around on game days and making me feel like an important part of the team," she said. Dong paid them back with her play and was voted most inspirational. The next season, with seven seniors paving the way, she was honorable mention all-Sierra Foothill League and was a key contributor to the team's 24-7 record. By Dong's junior year, the team was hers, earning an all-league honor and leading a 23-9 Placer team deep into the playoffs. Dong's last-second basket in a double-overtime win over Oak Ridge put Placer in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II semifinal, where the Hillmen lost to Merced-Golden Valley. In Dong's senior year, the Lady Hillmen won the SFL championship, posted a 25-8 record and again went to the section semifinals. For her outstanding play, Dong was named SFL MVP. She credits Placer coach Tony Camillucci for helping her grow as a basketball player, saying, "He taught me the skills, the fundamentals, the strategy and teamwork. He's so committed to the team." Ironically, when Dong played junior high basketball for Bowman School, she played games against the Foresthill team coached by Camillucci. As with many athletes being inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame, Dong praised her hometown environment. "I loved the community support from Auburn," she said, remembering the neighbors, parents, teachers and community in the stands. "Growing up in Auburn is special, and you want to play where you're proud to play." She also pointed to her family, affectionately referred to as Team Dong, as being critical factors to her success throughout her basketball and life journey. "My brothers, Davis and Dexter, were my fiercest competitors and biggest cheerleaders throughout my career," she said. Dong earned a scholarship to play at the University of San Diego and looked forward to playing at the college level. She started 19 games as a redshirt freshman, ranked second on the team in assists and scored a season-high 15 points in a win over USF. The next season, she started all 29 games for the Toreros, dished out a team-high 129 assists and ranked second in the West Coast Conference is assists per game, and led the team in steals. She scored a career-high 17 points in a win over Georgetown. In her junior year, Dong again led USD with 114 assists and made a career-high 22 three-pointers. She netted 15 points against USF. Dong finished her collegiate career ranked in the top 10 in USD history in assists, 3-pointers and steals. A member of the West Coast Conference, San Diego played games against Gonzaga each season. In yet another sports irony, Dong found herself competing against a team coached by Lisa Mispley-Fortier, her Placer High teammate in 1999. Currently, Dong works for The Public Good Projects in San Diego, which provides public health communications. She is married to wife Jaclyn Goldberg. The couple has two sons, Dane 4, and Dominic, 1 1/2. The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in the Earl Crabbe Gym. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7. Tickets for the reception cost $25 until April 15 and $35 after, and are available online at available online at https://placerathletics.bpt.me. The ceremony is free of charge to the public.