Players to watch at the Big Four in the Greensboro City
Many years ago the basketball scene in the 336 area code was dominated by the big four high schools and that was just the way it was for so long. As more schools outside the city were built and their…
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Continue ReadingMany years ago the basketball scene in the 336 area code was dominated by the big four high schools and that was just the way it was for so long. As more schools outside the city were built and their programs improved the power has shifted somewhat. That does not take away from the talent that is still available at these schools so rich in tradition. These are some of the players that will make sure basketball fans and college coaches will still be making a stop at these hallow halls.
Destonie Tisdale- 5’1” Sophomore-Guard-Grimsley High School– In a year when the talent level at the Big Four High Schools is not as strong as in previous years this player is a bright spot and talent. What sets her apart is her speed with the dribble and her speed from end to end with the ball. Her ability to get into the lane and score layups as well as get out in transition and just outpace everyone is special. She used her speed to the tune of 11 points per game and a Player of the Year honor at Grimsley High School and honorable mention All-Area. As she heads into her junior year and her shooting and perimeter game improve she is going to be one of the players to watch and with two years remaining she has the time to work herself in position for a basketball scholarship at the end of her senior year. Definitely a player I will be watching with interest and fun next season.
Taramirah Russell- 5’3” Junior-Guard-Grimsley High School– The proof that hard work pays off is so true with this player. She has a strong work ethic and this has seen her skills and performance improve each year. She has already proven to be a good shooter and has improved her 3 point shooting as well. Playing alongside a guard that can get in the lane and draw defenders she was able to spot up and knock down shots which she did with regularity this season. As she continues to work on her other skills she should be poised to have a stand out senior year. Her shooting led her to a 7.6 points per game average and a place on the honorable mention All-Area team. If you like shooting you will enjoy watching her play and I am excited to see her offseason improvements going into her senior year.
Adja Ndiaye- 5’8” Sophomore-Guard-Smith High School– As a member of a team that did not win many games she was definitely the bright spot. She is built to play this game and play it well, being athletic with long arms. Her skills improved as the season went on and she has a great feel for the game. As she plays more and works on the game she has the time to develop into a strong player and one that we will be talking about come her senior season.
Regan Maynard- 5’8” Junior-Guard- Page High School– Playing at a high school rich in basketball tradition and one that has produced many top girls basketball players this player has worked herself into a solid player with many basketball skills. She is a tremendous knock-down shoot and shoots the 3 point shot well with a great form and technique and with great success. She also has plenty of basketball smarts which enable her to make a lot of good basketball plays be it on the offensive or defensive end. Add to this how hard she plays and you can see the excitement she has created going into her senior year. Her shooting and offensive skills led her to average 10 points per game as well as 5.1 rebounds a game and her instincts and basketball IQ led her to average 2.4 steals per game. All of this led to her being named on the honorable mention All-Area team. There are so many college teams that are always looking for knock-down shooters which all but assures her a place on a college roster somewhere when her senior year is done.
Marissa Wooten- 5”7” Junior-Guard-Dudley High School– One of the best pure athletes on this list which she uses to get into transition and to be a fierce defender. She is very strong finishing around the rim and is so good running lanes and finishing at the rim. Add to that her ability to shoot the 3 ball with ease and you can see why she was able to average 8.5 points expect this number to increase in her senior year as she continues to improve. Where she excels is on the defensive ends she has great instincts and combined with her quickness and athleticism she is always a threat to jump into a passing lane or pressure the ball to force a turnover or steal which explains her amazing 3.3 steals per game average. All of these talents saw her earn an honorable mention All-Area honor. Heading into her senior year she should be ready to step up her game and claim a spot not only as one of the best players in her area but also one of the best in the state of North Carolina.
Quinzia Fulmer- 6’3” Junior- Center- Dudley High School– The old saying “you can’t teach height” is so true for this player. At 6’3” she is one of the tallest players in the area and she has steadily improved her skill set each year. Offensively she is solid in the post either with her back to basket where she has great hands and footwork and can finish with both hands in close. She also moves in the low post really well makes herself available in the land and post and seals really well. Add to that a developed nice lefty mid-range jump shot and her ability to run the floor in transition and at times she can rebound and lead the break which is special for someone of her size. This all contributed to her 14 points a game average but where she really excels is on the defensive end. She defends the paint extremely well with her size she has great timing when she blocks shots which she does regularly to the tune of 3 blocks per game and she dominates the boards with a 12 rebound a game average there, there are no easy shots in the lane when she is around. She’s a double-double a night type of player and earned a place on the 3rd Team All-Area honors. Look for this player to be a dominant force next year for a team that is always strong and with her guarding the middle look for that to continue next year and for her to land a spot on a college roster at the end of the season.