Wakefield will be a team to watch in 2021
The Wakefield girls basketball program put together another consistent campaign under the guidance of head coach Donald Williams during the 2019-20 season by going undefeated in the Northern Athletic 4A Conference play and finishing with an impressive 22-4 record. Wakefield’s…
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Continue ReadingThe Wakefield girls basketball program put together another consistent campaign under the guidance of head coach Donald Williams during the 2019-20 season by going undefeated in the Northern Athletic 4A Conference play and finishing with an impressive 22-4 record.
Wakefield’s stout campaign ultimately concluded with a 56-52 overtime loss to Millbrook in the Sweet 16 of the NCHSAA 4A Tournament, but they enter the 2021 season ready to make another run for the state championship with senior Amanda Barber being the only significant departure from the program.
All five of Wakefield’s starters, including Barber, received significant playing action during the 2019-20 season by averaging over 20 minutes per game, which is a trend that is expected to continue for 2021 with the returning senior core.
Here is a comprehensive outlook as to what Wakefield’s rotation will look like as they attempt to pursue an NCHSAA 4A title.
Elise Williams, Sr.-
The standout player on Wakefield’s roster, Williams led her team in nearly every single category by averaging 19.9 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game, 5.3 steals per game and 1.4 blocks per game.
Williams’ versatility alone will make Wakefield the favorite for the Northern 4A Conference again and a contender for the NCHSAA 4A Championship, but she will also have to assume more leadership responsibilities alongside the rest of the program’s senior class now that Barber has graduated from the school.
Katelyn Buggs, Sr.-
Buggs was the only other player on Wakefield’s roster to average more time on the court than Williams, as she averaged 28.4 minutes every evening as opposed to Williams’ 27.7.
Although Buggs only tallied 3.9 PPG and 2.8 RPG last season, her extended time on the court displays the amount of trust Wakefield’s coaching staff has in her leadership abilities, but she also managed to finish with double-digit point totals in victories against Knightdale and Heritage, where she scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Jireh Reid, Sr.-
Reid’s area of expertise for Wakefield is perimeter shooting, as she shot 50 percent or better on field goals in nine of her 24 appearances last season. She also showed consistency with free-throws, and put both of those qualities together during her final game of the 2019-20 season against Garner Magnet, where she was perfect from the foul line and three-point line.
Reid wrapped up her junior campaign by posting averages of 7.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 1.8 SPG, and is poised to conclude her final season in a Wakefield uniform on a positive note if she continues to improve on her accuracy from all around the court.
Amirah Allen, Sr.-
Allen was second in scoring to Williams during the 2019-20 season with 9.0 PPG, but she also maintained an active presence underneath the rim for Wakefield by averaging 4.8 RPG and 1.3 BPG.
With Allen registering 11 double-digit evenings in points last year, her on-court presence provides Williams her teammates multiple opportunities to distribute the ball, but gradual improvements in scoring, rebounds and blocks for Allen could prove to be crucial in opening up what is already an explosive, dynamic offense for Wakefield.
Mckenna Blanton, Jr.-
The youngest member of what is expected to be Wakefield’s starting lineup, Blanton still logged tons of minutes for the team in her sophomore year, but also had opportunities to shine on the court by scoring 13 points against Corinth Holders and 11 points against Wake Forest, both of which were lopsided wins for her team.
Mainly an inside presence, Blanton averaged three rebounds for Wakefield last season to go along with her 5.1 PPG. She will have plenty of chances to observe and learn from Williams, Reid, Allen and Buggs as she continues to evolve her game in preparation for a more pivotal role in 2022.