Shatara Jackson Signs With Winston Salem State….What’s Next for Laney’s Future?

The Laney High School Women’s Basketball program has produced many quality and successful student-athletes. One of those being Tamera Young, a James Madison University graduate and the number eight pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. She is now playing for the newest WNBA franchise; the Atlanta Dream. Also, Shaqwedia Wallace is currently attending Temple University on an athletic scholarship. Amber Spolarich, a 2007 Laney graduate, is currently a student-athlete at North Carolina State University on an athletic scholarship. More recently however, there has been a snap, crackle, and pop in Laney’s program you could say. With the absence Shaqwedia Wallace and Amber Spolarich this year, the Lady Bucs struggled to regain their fierce reputation during the first half of the season. And then a true leader emerged.

   After starting a successful career at the age of five, Shatara has worked hard and come a long way from her days of playing at Girls Inc.  After making the transition from middle school to high school basketball she also had to make a few adjustments to Laney’s playing style. She was forced to develop a better listening ability, willingness to learn and to help develop the younger players on the team. This isn’t something that’s new to her she’s had to help other teammates in the past on various level with several different AAU teams she’s played for. This July, she’ll be heading off to Winston Salem State University for summer school, and she’s also really looking forward to playing in the North Carolina East vs. West All-Star game.

   When asked about her style of play she replied “I consider herself sort of a Diana Taurasi or a Steve Nash kind of player. I feel that I have a good work ethic, I try to keep a positive attitude, and I try to always encourage my teammates.” And, if you can’t tell she’s also a big Phoenix Suns fan as well. Shatara is also a stand out softball player for the Lady Bucs softball team and she’s considering approaching the softball coach at Winston Salem State University about a walk-on possibility with the team. “I’ve played a lot of softball, so that will always be something that I love to do.”

   With Shatara away at Winston Salem State University, Janae Baker and Brenna Bass graduating as well, the Lady Bucs will be looking for more leadership, more scoring threats, and a new point guard/ scoring guard.  After following the program for that past five years, I know that Coach Tynes, Coach Adams, and the Lady Buccaneers will find a way to prevail.

   Now, there’s only one question that remains on the minds of Buccaneer fans. Who’s got next?

  - Amber Doniere

Amber is a frequent CFSR contributor.  The Trask Middle School student is quickly developing her sports journalism skills, as she begins down what she hopes is her career path … if she doesn’t make the WNBA, that is.