It is not every day an athlete from Greenbrier East gets the chance to sign with a college that can lay claim to a national championship, but Greenbrier East Lady Spartan basketball player Daisha Summers gets to do just that.
Summers, a 5-foot-11 inch post player that averaged 17.6 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Spartans this past year, signed her letter of intent on April 14 to continue her career on the hardwood with the Glenville State Lady Pioneers.
Glenville is fresh off a 35-1 season that included an 85-72 win over Western Washington in the national title game. The program was the talk of the state and country for a couple of weeks and their last two games in the NCAA tournament were televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network.
Summers loved all that publicity, but Glenville discovered her and, vice versa, before their team became nationally relevant, and Summers was hooked immediately.
“Glenville was the first college to reach out to me with interest at the end of my 10th grade year. The first thing that grabbed my attention on my visit was how the team bonded and it instantly felt like family,” Summers said.
Still, the championship is exciting.
“It’s honestly an honor to get to be a part of this program. I am beyond excited to get started, she exclaimed.
Summers played at Greenbrier East for just one season after transferring from Wyoming East where she won a state title. The Spartans were knocked out in the regional championship by George Washington, just one game short of a state tournament berth.
Although disappointing, Summers cherished her short stay on the Spartan court, but wishes she could have done a little more to avoid the sad ending.
“This year wasn’t my best that’s for sure, but I did learn from it. It’s not easy to pick up and play with a group that you haven’t played with before. It’s a hard adjustment, Summers stated.
Also, I didn’t get access to the gym all year, so I was battling with my shot all season. I felt like I wasn’t in the best shape. Coming from Wyoming East, we had a program plan and stayed in the weight room and stayed conditioned well. This year was different with the Covid battle and all. I’m just thankful I did get to play this year,” she continued.
Once she gets to Glenville later this year, Summers will step into a system coached by Kim Stephens that is an exciting brand of basketball. The Pioneers get out and run in transition constantly, and try to wear down their opponents, which typically happens. And that style of play, plus reuniting with an old friend has Summers giddy to get there.
“Definitely my style of play,” Summers said with a smile.
“I adjust well to a fast-paced game. They are also defensive driven and that’s one of my strengths. I also am excited to get to play with my former teammate Skylar Davidson. We were a great duo at Wyoming East and I’m excited to experience that again. We can shut down some teams together with our defense,” she said.
Although Summers has only spoken with her future head coach once, it was probably the most important conversation they could have anyway.
“The only conversations I have had with Kim was letting her know my verbal commitment a few weeks prior to the national championship and of course congratulations after the game,” Summers stated.
“I am excited to be a lady pioneer,” she concluded.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.