Jamiyah Dennis transferred from Mount Pleasant to Concord and has become the Raiders’ catalyst at point guard.
Athlete of the Week portrait of Concord High girls basketball player Jamiyah Dennis.
JAMIYAH DENNIS, junior, Concord girls basketball
THE WEEK: Scored 19 points last Monday as the fourth-ranked Raiders battled past No. 5 Caravel on the road, 59-48.
THE GLUE: “My job is to keep the team together,” Dennis said. “I’m the point guard. I control game, make sure all the players go to their spots.”
THE COACH SAYS: “She’s a very talented kid, has a very high basketball IQ,” Concord coach John Armstrong said. “She’s willing to just be part of a team being a success and doing whatever it takes to help the team be a success. I’m pleased with that. I’m pleased with what she has brought to the table.”
THE DEFENSE: Several of Dennis’ points against Caravel came after the Raiders forced turnovers. “We’ve just got to be aggressive, that’s it,” she said. “Our offense is going to come to us, but defense is everything. Defense is the key. Defense wins games.”
THE TRANSFER: Dennis transferred to Concord from Mount Pleasant, where she was the Green Knights’ leading scorer last season. “When you get a transfer, you always wonder how they’re going to fit in coming from a different program,” Armstrong said. “From day one, she’s been a team player. She’s worked hard, waited for her opportunity without a lot of complaining.”
THE TRANSITION: “It was easy,” Dennis said. “I just had to fit in. … Everybody has a position, and they’re true to their position. It’s been fun playing with this team.”
THE ASSISTS: “I feel like I’ve done my job,” Dennis said of making a pass that leads to a basket. “I signed up for a job, and I’ve got to finish that job.”
THE GOAL: The Raiders went 15-7 last year and reached the DIAA quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion Ursuline. They hope to take at least one more step this season and reach the semifinals at the Bob Carpenter Center. “We’re a good team,” Dennis said. “I plan on seeing all the teams that are ranked higher than us at the Bob, in the Final Four.”
THE CLASSROOM: Dennis said her favorite subject is math, because “I’m good with numbers.”
THE FUTURE: Dennis would like to continue playing basketball in college while studying engineering. She has yet to decide on a destination.
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