STARKVILLE — When Starkville High School senior guard Tabreea Gandy has to improvise on a play, girls basketball coach Kristie Williams is encouraged by the possibilities.
“Tabreea is a true workhorse,” Williams said. “She always strives to do her best. She always tries to give her best. No matter what the situation is. If she makes a bad pass, she is going to hustle, play defense, and get a steal. She knows how to counteract when she makes a turnover. She doesn’t hang her head.
“She has developed into a better shooter. She is willing to do whatever it takes. She leads and will always find a way. That feeds down to the other players. They want to give their best because Tabreea is giving hers.”
On Wednesday, Gandy signed a scholarship offer to play basketball at Itawamba Community College next season.
“I really like the coaches and the players there,” Gandy said. “They made me feel at home. When I took my visit there, I knew that could be my new home. Being able to play basketball on the college level has been something I have been working on for a long time. It’s exciting to know that I am going to get that opportunity.”
Gandy is averaging 13.7 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two-and-a-half assists per game for Starkville (7-1). She is the latest in a long line of signees for Williams and the Lady Yellow Jackets in a five-season stretch in which the program has ranked among the best in the state.
“This means a lot. It shows from our feeder program, all the way up, we have a good system in place,” Williams said. “It shows that if you work hard and take care of your business on the court and in the classroom, you are going to have a chance to play on the next level. We have had a good group of girls sign here recently. They are also going to quality programs, such as ICC. It’s a big accomplishment for the program, but it also reflects the work ethic we expect from our players.”
The current ICC roster includes sophomore Eryka Williams, of Starkville, and freshman Kaylyn Wilson, of Columbus. The Lady Indians are 5-4 entering the Christmas break.
“The coaches really push you,” Gandy said. “They work with you to improve your game. The coaches make sure the players stay on task so they have a chance to play on the next level. The individual attention to each player and how to improve their game really stood out for me.”
Gandy said her main emphasis between now and next fall will be hitting the weight room harder and focusing on becoming a better defensive player. All of that will be an emphasis during and after another potential state tournament run.
After winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship last season, Gandy and teammate Jariyah Covington form the backbone of a senior class that will try to help the squad repeat as champions.
“(Gandy) and (Covington) have been with us since their ninth-grade year,” Williams said. “They have been through the aches and pains of getting to Jackson and not winning it. They were also there in March. The experience they can help share with their teammates is extremely important. Both of them can push their teammates and say this is how we do things.
“The quality of what they bring to the floor is showing the younger players what they can achieve if they work hard.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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