By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Sometimes talent isn’t as important as chemistry. Shawnee Heights girls basketball coach Bob Wells could see his team had talent. But he had to wonder about the chemistry when Heights added three newcomers this winter who were most likely to start and play big roles for the T-Birds.
Pearmella Carter, Shawnee Heights
Imani McGlory, Shawnee Heights
Sami Baum, Shawnee Heights
The T-Birds made a run at the Class 5A State Tournament last season that came up just short, a loss to Piper in the sub-state finals. Wells wanted to build on that success, which was spearheaded by then-sophomore guard KK Emmot.
Emmot returned, as did versatile forward Reianna Vega, but the T-Birds lost Kaydence Torrez to graduation and Tayler Hanshaw, a current senior who is out with an injury, in addition to a couple of other key graduates. Wells would need to find athleticism, size, scoring and leadership if the T-Birds were to continue their run of success.
Into the gym this November walked three new players who brought those qualities, plus experience. An added benefit was that the three were a known commodity. For the most part, they knew each other and the returning T-Birds knew them.
Joining the T-Birds were senior Imani McGlory, a sharpshooting transfer from Topeka West, junior Pearmela Carter, a skilled scorer from Highland Park, and junior Sami Baum, a long wing who played for the NEK homeschool team.
Wells liked what he saw, but couldn’t be sure how well the group would work together.
“Without a doubt I wondered, ‘How are they going to jell together?’” Wells said after Tuesday’s 64-46 T-Bird win over De Soto. “They all knew each other when they were young kids, but that was when they were playing ‘bitty ball.’ Now they’re playing high-speed ball.”
Wells said after the T-Birds’first home game that the new T-Birds faced a tough learning curve but were growing. He said the team’s returners were helping to smooth the transition.
One month later – in its eighth game of the season – the new crew was called upon to step up under adversity. Facing De Soto Tuesday, Emmot was sent to the bench with early fouls. Averaging 18 points per game for the season, the junior spent much of the night on the sideline and managed just two points in the game. Someone would have to take up the slack.
The pressure was on the trio of newcomers, and they rose to the occassion. Carter, a powerful forward with a soft touch around the goal, scored 19 to lead the T-Birds. Baum knocked down three 3-pointers and finished with 15 points. McGlory tossed in 14. The trio hit 16-29 shots from the field and 11-13 from the line.
The result was the T-Birds' fourth straight win as Heights improved to 5-3 on the season.
“We needed them to step up, and they did it within the execution of the team,” Wells said. “That’s what I was most impressed with. They were getting the shots we want them to get. It was really fun seeing them all step up and hit shots and rebound and play solid on defense.”
Was it the natural progression of players becoming more comfortable in the system that caused the trio to bloom Tuesday, or was it the absence of their scoring leader?
“It was probably a little bit of both,” Wells said. “They realized KK was not (in the game), I’ve got to step up a little bit here, and they did. And now they know they can do it.
“We’ve had so many games and so little practice time where they can get out there and really work together and start to feel like they know what’s going on. They’re starting to play without thinking instead of having to think about what they’re doing out there.”
Vega said familiarity with the new girls was key. Once they were in the program, it was a matter of embracing roles.
“We had seen them come from different places and we know what they are best at,” said Vega, who scored 13 points against De Soto. “So, we just fit them into the roster and let them do what they had to do. If they didn’t get it right, we explained to them how we do certain things. Eventually we were all on the same page and we are all learning together now at this point.”
Carter came to the T-Birds with the most familiarity. She knew both McGlory and Baum, who didn’t know each other. She also was friends with most of the returning T-Birds. Carter had shouldered a heavy load at Highland Park as a sophomore, serving as the Scots’ primary scoring option.
“I actually like (my role here) because the whole team is playing together and the whole team is scoring,” Carter said. “It’s like a group effort. Everybody’s cheering for each other, not getting jealous of each other. I went to Shawnee Heights Middle School, so it’s kind of like playing with old friends.”
The T-Bird returners were well-aware of McGlory’s abilities, having faced her when she played for United Kansas Conference foe Topeka West. She takes some of the pressure of ball handling off Emmot and provides a 3-point threat that stretches opposing defenses. She said she was welcomed in by her former foes.
“I love playing with these girls because they try hard and we all play good together,” McGlory said. “I feel like, as we practice together, we get better together.”
Perhaps Baum came to Shawnee Heights with the most question about her ability. She played previously for a local program for homeschoolers that faces other private schools and small public schools. Baum had to adjust to big, loud gyms and the pressure that comes with Class 5A basketball.
“I played for NEK. That is just a different atmosphere,” Baum said. “It was kind of a smaller, lower level, but I got what I needed out of it. I had great people surrounding me. Now I’m able to take this great opportunity to play for Shawnee Heights. This is definitely different, and I’m just now settling into it. But it’s exciting and it’s new and I’m excited to be here playing with these teammates.”
Baum may have played against smaller schools, but her talents are suited for any level. A 6-foot wing who can handle the ball, shoot from deep, rebound and defend all five spots on the floor, she is a jack-of-all-trades for her new team.
Baum became enmeshed in Shawnee Heights as a member of the volleyball team last fall. And she had another connection to the T-Birds. Wells coached Baum’s father, Steve, when he was in high school.
“My dad said (Wells) was a great coach and he learned a lot about his style of play and what he likes to run,” Baum said. “So, it seemed like a good fit. It’s exciting to learn under what my dad was coached under and just be able to adapt to new things.”
