Player Spotlight: Ja’Mya Powell-Smith
Being apart of a championship team in basketball is something special. Most players never get a chance to experience playoff high school basketball. Being a young player on a team with senior leaders can be tough for a player to…
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Continue ReadingBeing apart of a championship team in basketball is something special. Most players never get a chance to experience playoff high school basketball. Being a young player on a team with senior leaders can be tough for a player to fit and contribute. One such player that was able to do more than contribute on a team that won the Class 5 State Championship is Ja’Mya Powell-Smith.
Photo courtesy 810 varsityDuring the 2018-2019 season, the North Kansas City Lady Hornets ran the table and finished off their season with the school’s first-ever girls basketball state championship. The 5’6 point guard averaged 15 pts, 5 ast, 4 rebs, and 4 steals for the Lady Hornets, as well as being named 1st team All-conference, District, and State as a Sophomore.
Ja’Mya possesses an all-around game. She can shot it with range beyond the three-point line. She is a knockdown shooter off the catch & shoot, along with an elite level mid-range jump shot off the bounce. Ja’Myas’ advanced basketball IQ allows her to excel in pick and roll sets. She makes quick reads of her defender and quickly gets into attack mood. Using either her mid-range pull-up jumper or deadly floater.
“Ja’Mya is coming off a great Sophmore season and had an even better spring and summer AAU session. She is the perfect definition of a two-way player. Ja’mya has a high basketball IQ and great court awareness.” Joel Webb Director – KC Dream Basketball Club
Ja’Myas’ creativity off the dribble is magical. She can get to any spot on the floor within the flow of the offense or out in transition. Her attacks to the basket put the help side defense in tough spots, as Ja’Mya finishes everything in the paint. Her uncanny ability to finish with either hand adds that unpredictability to her game. Because of her finishing ability, Ja’Mya is an elite level passer. Always with her head up on drives to the basket and finding her open teammates with ease.
Some offensive-minded point guards struggle to guard their position, not Ja’Mya. She can guard the one or two and is not afraid to get inside and rebound. Her floor leadership has grown at the lead guard spot. Working to both get her teammates involved and using her elite skills to create for herself. Ja’Myas’ defense is sparked by her quickness, anticipation, and speed off the ball. Getting out in passing lanes and getting out in transition.
“Ja’Mya has both speed and strength that allows her to get anywhere on the floor she wants. Creating for herself and her teammates. If that is not enough, she continues to be a high-level consistent shooter from the perimeter. Ja’Mya is easily one of the Top 5 player in the state of Missouri.” Joel Webb – Director KC Dream basketball Club
Ja’Mya plays her AAU ball with Della Lamb Running Angels. Getting serious interest from the University of Pennsylvania, Marquette, SIU, Arkansas Little Rock, UNC Greensboro, Drury, NW Missouri St., Western Missouri, and Harding University.
Playing on a team with the championship target means you get every team’s best shot. Having a poised and confident lead guard with the skill set and ability Ja’Mya has, will go along way for the Lady Hornets. As they set out to defend their state championship title.