Player Profile: Nyah Ford

Don Halling

December 17, 2018 @ 11:10 PM

Our next player profile comes from Belleville East in point guard Nyah Ford. Nyah is a 5'7 senior that has really burst on the scene this year. Nyah was expected to be a back or a 3rd guard in the starting line up for the Lady Lancers. Once Kaylah Rainey got the bad news about her heart issues it changed everything for Nyah. Coach Kemezys changed the direction of how she would use Nyah. She became the starting point guard and after some time to adjust she has thrived in that role. Nyah has the ability to handle the ball, distribute, score and also be a leader on the floor. She has the quickness and speed that many college coaches are looking for. When Nyah has the ball in her hands it is very difficult to keep her out of the lane. She handles it well enough to use her explosiveness to get anywhere she wants. Once she is on the move she reads the defense well and makes good decisions on getting her own shot or passing. During the spring and summer Nyah ran with the Evolution Elite. During the off season as she was playing AAU and with her team Nyah was working to be even faster in the straight line and quicker side to side. She can also be a great defender as she learns how to use this athletic ability. During this season she hopes to really step up and embrace this role and opportunity. She also feels like her IQ on the floor and ability to handle the ball under extreme pressure are strengths she brings to the team. Belleville East has high expectations for the season, even with Rainey out. They want to contend for a SWC title and go far in the playoffs. Nobody on this team is using any excuses to fall short of those expectations. Everyone needs to step up. Through the first ten games Nyah is averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game. The team has played a very tough schedule early in the season with the hopes that it will pay off come February. Nyah has been in double figures both of the last two games. In addition to the increased scoring she has 6 steals in both games to go with 11 total assists. She is getting more comfortable and getting better. Nyah would like to play in college but as a late riser she has not had the attention yet. She can definitely play at the NAIA/D3 level with her point guard skills. She plans to study accounting and loves math. I have a feeling she will need her math skills the rest of the year to keep track of her contributions to the box score. Nyah is definitely under the radar so far, but she wont be for long.  