Basketball has had a special place in La’Quesha Clemons’ life for as long as she can remember.
The West Lowndes High School senior doesn’t know what it is about the sport that “grabbed her heart” at an early age, but it didn’t take long for her to realize it had the potential to help her take an important step in her life.
Maybe that’s why Clemons persevered through the ups and downs that are typically in many high school students’ lives. It also could explain why she played with a boundless energy and enthusiasm because she felt a responsibility to her team and her teammates to set the example for everyone else to meet.
“Basketball is really what made me who I am today,” Clemons said. “You can always have talent, but your education comes along with it. If you have no education, you have nothing.”
That’s why Clemons was so proud earlier this week when she signed a letter of intent to play basketball for coach Sharon Thompson at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba. It signaled the realization of a dream that first offered a glimmer that something bigger could be on the horizon back in the ninth grade. That’s when Clemons admits she knew she “had to get on it” if she was going to make the most of her athleticism and potential in the sport.
“I knew basketball was going to get me out of high school,” Clemons said.
Clemons played with a purpose that reflected that desire. She averaged 21.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game to lead West Lowndes to a 16-8 record and the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State tournament.
For her accomplishments this season, Clemons is The Dispatch’s Small Schools All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
“Her personality sets her apart,” West Lowndes girls basketball coach Tiffany Phinisey said. “She is just a great kid to work with, and she is a great person. She tries really hard to better herself. That lone is going to take her a long, long way. Having her as that drive that is going to keep pushing her team forward is going to bring positive energy wherever she goes.”
Clemons said she started playing basketball when she was 7 or 8 years old. She went on to be a key member of an undefeated team at West Lowndes Middle School, which is where she said she feels she developed a greater understanding of the game and had an inkling that she might be able to use her skills to realize an opportunity to play in college.
Jeff Smith, who coached Clemons on a local Amateur Athletic Union basketball team, said Clemons had been exposed to basketball before she started coaching her. He credited the numerous people who have been involved in the lives of La’Quesha and her sister, Moeshia, who also was a member of the school’s girls basketball team. He said it it important for future West Lowndes High athletes to see players like Clemons and senior Wendell Rieves, who signed a baseball scholarship to Mississippi Delta C.C., and realize that they can realize their dreams with a lot of hard work and dedication.
“She has worked hard to improve herself and to build herself up to be a strong, young athlete who is going to bring great pride to her family, her community, and to her school.”
Smith said he has seen Clemons’ desire to get better for several years. Although he isn’t sure of the source of the motivation for Clemons’ work ethic, Smith said she hopes to continue to use it to have success at EMCC and to take her game to a four-year school.
“I hope she uses this as an opportunity to continue to grow in athletics and life and as an opportunity to further her education and to have a successful life going forward for her and her family,” Smith said. “The kids coming up behind (Clemons and Rieves) are watching them closely and trying to mimic their success. They are a motivation and an inspiration to the community. I look forward to following their careers and wish they have a successful future.”
Phinisey believes Clemons has a bright future. She didn’t hesitate to say she feels Clemons will “dominate” at the next level after seeing her motivate her teammates and pushing everyone to be their best.
“I am not worried about her on the court. She dominates on the court, and I expect her to do it (at EMCC). She is only going to get better. She is only going to be stronger, and she is only going to be more appreciated.”
Clemons was recruited by several junior colleges in the state, but she said she felt more comfortable at EMCC. She understands people will be watching her at the next level, which is why she tried this past season to set the example and to be a positive person to help her teammates do the right thing. She said she regrets that West Lowndes “took it too fast” in a loss to McAdams that ended their season. She said she will use that experience as a valuable lesson moving forward as she continues to grow playing the sport she loves.
“I am not going to give up on basketball, and I am not going to give up on my team because it brought me this far, so I will not turn my back on my team or basketball for any circumstance ,” Clemons said. “I think I am going to do very well because I am not a person who doubts myself. If I just stay focused, play hard, and give everything I got, I think I will do it because the same way I want it the other girls are going to want it. I have to bring everything that is in me when I go down there.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
