Best of Laney: Girls No. 3, 2 and 1

In an effort to determine the best 10 male and female athletes at each Wilmington school (Ashley, Cape Fear Academy, Coastal Christian, Hoggard, Laney, New Hanover and Wilmington Christian Academy), I selected a panel of qualified individuals to vote. The participants included: former and current coaches, administrators and ADs, media members and even fans. Each individual voted anonymously with their No. 1 athlete receiving 10 points, No. 2 athlete receiving 9 points and so on. 

The next school to have their 10 top athletes revealed is Laney. A total of 17 people voted and the results will be released throughout the week.

Monday, Aug. 3: Boys and Girls 10, 9, 8 and 7 as well as honorable mention (anyone else who received votes)

Tuesday: Aug. 4: Boys 6, 5 and 4Wha

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Girls 6, 5 and 4

Thursday, Aug. 6: Boys 3, 2 and 1

Friday, Aug. 7: Girls 3, 2 and 1

Girls Honorable Mention

• Jenson Edwards and Charlene Thompson (22 points)
• Caroline Cahill (19 points)
• Kelli Gottry (18 points)
• Maddy Bullington and Taylor Chism (14 points)
• Haley Shand (13 points)
• Tristen Horrell and Jayla Rogers (11 points)
• Courtney Dwertman, Jessica Figgins and Jenna Grill (4 points)
• Paulette Addison and Madi Johnston (3 points)
• Brookes Musser and Lisa White (2 points)
• Amber Doniere (1 point)

Girls No. 10

Janae Baker (32 points)

Class of 2008

Click here to read more about Janae

Girls No. 9

Nikki Lynch (35 points)

Class of 2009

Click here to read more about Nikki

Girls No. 8

Eryn Teague (49 points)

Class of 2006

Click here to read more about Eryn

Girls No. 7

Amber Spolarich (64

Amber Spolarich (64 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2007

Click here to read more about Amber

Girls No. 6

Natalie Tyner (78 points and 4 first-place votes)

Class of 2019

Click here to read more about Natalie

Girls No. 5

Saniya Rivers (79 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2021 (at Ashley)

Click here to read more about Saniya

Girls No. 4

Qwedia Wallace (87 points)

Class of 2007

Click here to read more about Qwedia

Girls No. 3

Baley Edwards (88 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2016

Edwards starred in basketball and soccer for the Buccaneers. On the basketball court, she averaged 11 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.3 assists per game as a senior. Edwards also connected on 34 percent of her 3-point attempts (33 of 96). During her four seasons, the program went 77-31. Edwards scored 45 goals and dished out 11 assists in her final three seasons on the soccer field. She was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State team as a junior (13 goals and five assists) and senior (17 goals and five assists). The Buccaneers went 33-4-4 overall and 20-1-3 in the Mideastern Conference over her final two seasons. Edwards was also named the Mideastern Conference Player of the Year as a senior. She went on to continue her soccer career at UNCW and made 65 starts in four years. She scored nine goals and dished out six assists.

“Baley is undoubtedly one of the best pure athletes in Laney’s history.  She excelled on both the soccer field and basketball court, and she was so gifted she could have been a star in any sport she wanted to play.  Baley was a very diligent student and served as a great role model for what a student-athlete should be.  Better than all of that is she has the best personality and a heart of gold.  She served as a student buddy with our EC population, which speaks to her character and the love and respect she shows to everyone she meets.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 2

Shatara Jackson (109 points and 4 first-place votes)

Class of 2008

Jackson was a force on the basketball court and softball field for Laney. She finished her senior softball season with a .313 average to go along with seven doubles, two triples, eight stolen bases, 11 RBI and 23 runs to help the Buccaneers finish 20-3 and reach the third round of the 4A playoffs. On the basketball court, Jackson guided Laney to back-to-back appearances in the East Regional. As a junior, she averaged 15.9 points, 3.7 steals and 3.2 assists. The Buccaneers finished with a 28-2 record and advanced to the 4A East Final for the first time in school history before falling to eventual state champion South View. A year later, she was the Mideastern Conference Player of the Year after averaging 19.6 points, 5.1 steals, 4 rebounds and 3.1 assists. Jackson is the all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,580 points. She was inducted into the Laney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Jackson continued her basketball career at Louisburg before transferring to Elizabeth City State. 

“Shatara is the best pure athlete I have had the pleasure of coaching. She was so smooth in everything she did, whether it was on the basketball court or on the softball diamond.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 1

Tamera Young (147 points and 6 first-place votes)

Class of 2004

Young cruised to the title of Laney’s Best Female Athlete since 2000 by receiving six first-place votes and landing inside the top five on all 17 ballots. She is most known for being a standout basketball player, but Young also competed in track & field during her time as a Buccaneer. She still holds the school record in long jump with a distance of 16-9. Young was named Mideastern Conference Player of the Year in basketball as a junior and senior and also garnered MVP honors at the East-West All-State Game in Greensboro. She averaged 21 points, 6 steals and 4 assists as a junior. In her final season at Laney, Young averaged 20.7 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. She finished her career with 1,565 points and that is still second in program history. Young went on to play at James Madison, where she is third in career points (2,121), second in career rebounds (1,127) and first in career steals (275). She was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the No. 8 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and she has played for the Dream, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces during her 12-year career.

“The most complete four-year player at Laney. With her size, ability, agility and pure desire to win and be the best, she elevated not only her own game but the entire program to greater heights. She would do things on the court that even the officials didn’t realize could be done.” – Anonymous voter