By C.S. Howard

The Booker High School girls basketball team had a great season this year with a winning record of 13-9. The team went into the first round against Hardee, defeating them 70-19. The District championship game was against Desoto, where they defeated the Bulldogs 5929, becoming three-time district champions. The girls advanced to the quarter finals to play #4 seed Aubrey Rogers on Wednesday. The results of the game were not available at press time.

Team members are Jsiyah Taylor, Daimyah Ayers, Jakai Peterson, Genearia Ash, Terrieta Smith, Cheyla Zastrow, Annette Castro, Janiel Williams, Mya Stuart, Yvette Brown, Laniyah Jackson, Marayah Stuart, Leoni Mitchell, Kiari Lewis, Nia Wideman. Ty Bryant is in his fourth year as head coach. He has been coaching for over 20 years and has been at Booker for four years. His assistant coaches are Morgan Lumb, Paul McCleod, Marcus Bryant and Austin Walker.

Let’s meet the seven senior girls who are graduating this year and moving on to the next phase of their careers. We asked each of them what advice they would give our youth coming behind them.

Genearia Ash is 17 years old and began playing basketball at Booker Middle School. She has played at Booker for the past four years and was the team’s point guard. As point guard, she gets to talk to and direct the team and make sure everyone is in the right spot. She loves the decision-making process because it causes her to think about what she’s doing. Genearia is in Take Stock in Children and though she is unsure what college she will attend, she plans to major in Business Management. Her advice to our youth:

there will be people who will test you and distract you, but don’t give up. Don’t let them speak something in you that they themselves would not do.”

Genearia is the daughter of Thaquila Vegas and Eugene Ash.

Daimyah Ayers i s also 17 years old and has been playing basketball since she was five. She began league play at age 7, including AAU ball. She came to Booker this year after attending Bayshore High School for the past three years. Daimyah’s mother played basketball so she has been actively involved in the sport most of her life. She has played basketball all four years of high school and plays the position of shooting guard/small forward. She is active in the Key Club, Keystone, Truly Valued and attends Bayside Community Church. She plans to start her college career at a community college before transferring to a university. She plans to major in the Science field and become a Radiologic Technician. Her advice to the youth: “be mentally tough; stay focused on your goals and make your own path.” Daimyah is the daughter of Dequela Ayers.

Leoni Mitchell is 18 years old and began playing basketball in the 7th grade while at McIntosh Middle School. She also played little league football for a couple of years. Leoni began high school in St. Petersburg before coming to Booker as a sophomore. She went back to St. Petersburg and came back to Booker in her junior year. Her career goal is to become a Psychologist and study African studies. Her advise to our youth:

“do not let a bad situation define you and don’t dwell on the past. Love yourself first and you will find out that your real friends are the ones who have been with you through the good and the bad.”

Leoni is the daughter of Lasonya Mitchell and Cyrus Smith.

Jakai Peterson has been playing basketball since she was in the 6th grade. She played AAU ball for three years, has played at Booker for four years and also ran track all four years. Jakai developed an interest in basketball while in middle school. She reached a milestone in her high school career when she joined the “1,000 Point Club”, scoring her 1,000th point during the District game against Desoto High School. Jakai is 17 years old and is active at Payne Chapel AME Church where she is Sunday School secretary and member of the youth choir.

She has received several college offers and is currently undecided where she will attend. She plans to obtain a degree in Business Administration and also work towards a real estate license. Her advice to our youth is simple: “finish what you start and never give up on your goals and what you want to accomplish.” Jakai is the daughter of Joannie Sloan and Michael Peterson and granddaughter of Johnnie Sloan.

Terrietta Smith is 18 years old and has been playing basketball for four years. She was the team’s point guard and guard. She also ran track for six years. Athletics run in her family; her sister played at Booker and is now on the coaching staff. Terrietta plans to attend college and get a degree in the medical field. Her advice to a young person is to

“practice like it’s your last day; have the mindset of a winner and don’t ever give up; stay focused.”

Terrietta is the daughter of Wretta Bradley and Terry Smith.

Mya Stuart is 18 years old and has been playing basketball since the 6th grade. She is a Center for the team and has been playing all four years. Her mother was a player so she developed an interest in the game early on. She advises our youth that “sometimes it may be hard but keep going and never give up; it will be worth it in the long run.” Mya plans to obtain a nursing degree and wants to be a travel nurse and eventually go on to medical school. She is the daughter of Heather Darrett and Dantrelle Moore.

Nia Wideman is 17 years and plays the position of center. She started playing AAU ball for Coach Lumb when she was in the sixth grade. She grew up around basketball – her mom was a player – so she spent a lot of time in the gym. She also played soccer and volleyball. Nia volunteered during the summer and during the school year at Emma E. Booker Elementary School and with the Youth Strive Outreach Program where she tutored and mentored students. Even though she suffered an injury last year, Nia did not lose enthusiasm for the game. She advises students to persevere.

“God gives His toughest battles to his strongest soldiers and He will take you out of whatever situation He puts you in.”

Nia plans to attend a four year university in Florida and pursue her dream to become a nurse. She is the daughter of Angela Wideman and Maceo McAdams.

Cheyla Zastrow is 17 years old and has been playing the game for six years. She started playing while in the 6th grade at Braden River Middle School. Very athletic, Cheyla played soccer for 8 years and played volleyball since 8th grade but eventually decided to pursue basketball. She played AAU ball with Coach Lumb with Slow Mo Sports. She comes from an athletic family as well – her mom played softball, volleyball and basketball and her brother played baseball. Her advise is “don’t let your past define your destiny. Never give up.” Cheyla has committed to New College and plans to major in Psychology. Her goal is to become a Therapist.

She plans to play basketball while attending New College. Cheyla is the daughter of Keely TaylorZastrow and Timothy Zastrow. Her advice: Don’t let your past define your destiny.”

Feature Image: Graduating seniors (left to right) Cheyla Zastrow, Terrietta Smith, Daimyah Ayers, Jakai Peterson, Genearia Ash and Leoni Mitchell and Mya Stuart. Not pictured is Nia Wideman.