Players, programs, rivals unite for Tacoma Girls Basketball Media Day
When the basketball drops, it’s rivalry time, Jamila Jones says – but not on Saturday night.
Jones, Lincoln’s girls basketball coach, organized a first-of-its-kind event at Annie Wright: “Tacoma Girls Basketball Media Day,” a spotlight on the city’s depth and talent rooted in programs big and small.
Provided a red-carpet entrance and speech by guest speaker and confidence coach Dr. Ariassa Wilson, players from eight local schools gathered for food and photos, an unofficial commencement for a South Sound basketball season with several contending programs to monitor.
Guard Ciona Wells represented Lincoln, one of four Abes inside Annie Wright’s gymnasium: “I see a lot of our biggest competitors in the room,” she said. “But it’s really fun just to have a friendly night, to get excited for Tacoma basketball.
“Before it gets really competitive.”
Participating programs Saturday night spanned from 4A-Bellarmine Prep to host-Annie Wright, a 1A state contestant earlier this year. The area’s top players attended, including Wells, and first-team Bellarmine guard Kiara Stone.
“It’s about trying to enjoy the moment,” Jones said, “and have fun, and really engage our young ladies to represent the city of Tacoma.
“Being a Tacoma kid, I really want our schools to be highlighted. Lincoln, we’re gonna be us. Bellarmine, they’re gonna be them. But what about the Mount Tahomas? What about Annique (Smith) over at Silas? She’s one of the best guards in the city, maybe one of the best guards in the state, as well.”
Jones powered his Abes to the 3A quarterfinals inside the Tacoma Dome earlier this spring – and they did so without Wells, their reigning 3A PCL co-MVP, lost before the bracket to an ACL injury. Defensive relentlessness and the leadership evolution of three seniors puts Lincoln in the driver’s seat to return.
“We were missing part of our heartbeat,” Jones said of Wells. “She’s back now.”
Wells found the silver lining from a season-ending injury, using the offseason to improve her jump shot. And the star guard values the one high-school season she has left at contending-Lincoln – which features fellow-senior guard Jaleigha Robinson, a reigning PCL first-teamer.
“We’re all on the same page and locked in,” Wells said. “And I’m just really excited to see our team grow. We all really love each other, and we’ve built bonds over the offseason. I think it’ll show on the court.”
Bellarmine Prep’s season ended on a heartbreaking, unreviewable, and controversial Eastlake buzzer-beater, a stunning finish in the 4A quarterfinals that would propel the Wolves to a state title. The Lions stood stunned, hands over heads, their title bid instantly over.
“Obviously, it didn’t go how we wanted it to go,” Stone said. “But… every year I was at Bellarmine, we’ve grown from the experience. We’ve always gone a step further. I’m so proud of that group and what we were able to accomplish, and I’m still hoping we accomplish more this year.”
Bellarmine Prep has the group to do it, featuring Stone, first-team all-league guard Jada Travis, and reigning second-teamer Keiara Curtis.
“I think the camaraderie will be better. I think we’ll look more together as a team… more glued this year.”
“I think there will be glimpses of how versatile we are.”
