Hoopsking
05-08-2007, 08:22 AM
BY GREGG LERNER
For the Star-Ledger
Iasia Hemingway planned on bringing her stellar high-school career to a fitting conclusion on the court at the Continental Airlines Arena, a third Tournament of Champions trophy in one arm and, if fortunate enough, a second straight MVP award resting in the other.
Instead, the Shabazz senior had her dreams shattered. She found herself in some sort of nightmare, standing in line with the rest of the paying customers for this year's T of C final, seeking some sort of closure on the unfortunate events of three weeks prior rather than the stamp to a perfect ending to her memorable four-year run.
Hemingway, a 5-10 forward who is heading to Georgia Tech, played a vital role in runs to the T of C titles reaped by Shabazz in both her freshman and junior years. However, a scheduling error that allowed the Newark squad to play one more regular-season game than allotted by the NJSIAA forced the state to disqualify Shabazz from this year's state tournament, denying it the opportunity to defend its T of C crown and putting an abrupt end to Hemingway's illustrious career.
The devastating news of the disqualification hit Hemingway with the type of force she was accustomed to doling out en route to the basket.
"I took it real hard," said Hemingway, who was relegated to cheering on friends from University of Newark, a team Shabazz beat twice in the regular season, as they defeated Trenton for the prestigious T of C title. "I was in tears. This was my senior year. I had my mind set on doing what I had to do to get us back to the T of C."
Time and the support of teammates had a way of healing the harsh wounds yet the decision had repercussions beyond the obvious.
For one, Hemingway never had the chance to bask in the spotlight of a Senior Night, something that would have taken place during Shabazz's final home game during the tournament.
But, epitomizing just how well she embraced her chance to assume leadership of this year's young, talented cast, Hemingway rallied the troops. She invited the entire team and coaching staff to her house in the aftermath of the decision for an impromptu evening not to celebrate the seniors but to celebrate the spirit that has always driven her and teammates and got them through hard times.
How she shouldered the responsibility of getting everyone together, that special quality befit a senior, was the final piece Hemingway mastered this winter to complete her impeccable resume.
She showed patience while freshmen twins Desiree and Ka-Deidra Simmons got acquainted with running the offense for a high-profile outfit and meshed nicely in a frontcourt that introduced Jynae Judson and Chanez Robinson to full-time duties. And, while juggling all that, Hemingway managed to elevate her own game, raising it beyond an already-revered level, to help Shabazz (26-2) continue its dominance in the Garden State and lock up The Star-Ledger 2007 Girls Basketball Player of the Year honor for a second consecutive season.
Her combination of raw strength and nimble footwork in the post were attributes too great for coach Vanessa Watson to ignore, despite Hemingway's improved play away from the basket. Although she'd spent much of the off-season developing an outside shot, Watson still needed Hemingway to muscle up inside.
"Miss Watson told me I'd get chances to play outside," Hemingway said. "But that the team needed me most playing with my back to the basket. I understood that. When we played some teams, I got the chance to shoot outside. But I played where I could help the team best."
Hemingway offered no resistance and got little in return when it came to working underneath. She pounded post defenders with her muscle and unmatched will, notching 20 double-doubles while averaging 17 points and 12.2 rebounds to go with 2.8 steals.
And, judging by her performance in the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association's North-South All-Star Game on March 24, she apparently had some basketball left in the tank. Hemingway put on a show, scoring 30 points to lock up MVP honors. Named an All-America by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, she was one of 20 players nationwide who competed in the WBCA All-Star Game in Cleveland as part of the Final Four weekend.
Story can be read at: http://www.nj.com/hssports/girlsbasketball/ledger/stories/index.ssf?/hssports/girlsbasketball/stories/poty.html
For the Star-Ledger
Iasia Hemingway planned on bringing her stellar high-school career to a fitting conclusion on the court at the Continental Airlines Arena, a third Tournament of Champions trophy in one arm and, if fortunate enough, a second straight MVP award resting in the other.
Instead, the Shabazz senior had her dreams shattered. She found herself in some sort of nightmare, standing in line with the rest of the paying customers for this year's T of C final, seeking some sort of closure on the unfortunate events of three weeks prior rather than the stamp to a perfect ending to her memorable four-year run.
Hemingway, a 5-10 forward who is heading to Georgia Tech, played a vital role in runs to the T of C titles reaped by Shabazz in both her freshman and junior years. However, a scheduling error that allowed the Newark squad to play one more regular-season game than allotted by the NJSIAA forced the state to disqualify Shabazz from this year's state tournament, denying it the opportunity to defend its T of C crown and putting an abrupt end to Hemingway's illustrious career.
The devastating news of the disqualification hit Hemingway with the type of force she was accustomed to doling out en route to the basket.
"I took it real hard," said Hemingway, who was relegated to cheering on friends from University of Newark, a team Shabazz beat twice in the regular season, as they defeated Trenton for the prestigious T of C title. "I was in tears. This was my senior year. I had my mind set on doing what I had to do to get us back to the T of C."
Time and the support of teammates had a way of healing the harsh wounds yet the decision had repercussions beyond the obvious.
For one, Hemingway never had the chance to bask in the spotlight of a Senior Night, something that would have taken place during Shabazz's final home game during the tournament.
But, epitomizing just how well she embraced her chance to assume leadership of this year's young, talented cast, Hemingway rallied the troops. She invited the entire team and coaching staff to her house in the aftermath of the decision for an impromptu evening not to celebrate the seniors but to celebrate the spirit that has always driven her and teammates and got them through hard times.
How she shouldered the responsibility of getting everyone together, that special quality befit a senior, was the final piece Hemingway mastered this winter to complete her impeccable resume.
She showed patience while freshmen twins Desiree and Ka-Deidra Simmons got acquainted with running the offense for a high-profile outfit and meshed nicely in a frontcourt that introduced Jynae Judson and Chanez Robinson to full-time duties. And, while juggling all that, Hemingway managed to elevate her own game, raising it beyond an already-revered level, to help Shabazz (26-2) continue its dominance in the Garden State and lock up The Star-Ledger 2007 Girls Basketball Player of the Year honor for a second consecutive season.
Her combination of raw strength and nimble footwork in the post were attributes too great for coach Vanessa Watson to ignore, despite Hemingway's improved play away from the basket. Although she'd spent much of the off-season developing an outside shot, Watson still needed Hemingway to muscle up inside.
"Miss Watson told me I'd get chances to play outside," Hemingway said. "But that the team needed me most playing with my back to the basket. I understood that. When we played some teams, I got the chance to shoot outside. But I played where I could help the team best."
Hemingway offered no resistance and got little in return when it came to working underneath. She pounded post defenders with her muscle and unmatched will, notching 20 double-doubles while averaging 17 points and 12.2 rebounds to go with 2.8 steals.
And, judging by her performance in the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association's North-South All-Star Game on March 24, she apparently had some basketball left in the tank. Hemingway put on a show, scoring 30 points to lock up MVP honors. Named an All-America by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, she was one of 20 players nationwide who competed in the WBCA All-Star Game in Cleveland as part of the Final Four weekend.
Story can be read at: http://www.nj.com/hssports/girlsbasketball/ledger/stories/index.ssf?/hssports/girlsbasketball/stories/poty.html