Girls basketball: Nkiru Awaka's emergence is helping Roosevelt find its focal point
STAATSBURG - Nkiru Awaka never did find a comfort zone on the court last season.
She was promoted to varsity during a strange 23-day season amid the pandemic and didn’t have much of an opportunity to bond with teammates, nor were there enough games or practices in which she could develop a rhythm.
She felt lost at times during that seven-game stretch last winter, unsure of herself and even nervous playing with the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School girls basketball team.
But that was her perspective.
Maia Stewart laughed when asked her first impression of the rookie last season.
“We knew right away she would be amazing,” the senior said. “She could do everything, and we saw flashes of that. She was a little scared last year, but you could definitely see the potential.”
While Awaka was worried about how she might fit into the team dynamic, teammates and coaches were marveling at how dynamic the 6-foot-1 forward could be.
“Having last summer to work out and build chemistry with everyone helped a lot,” she said. “I’m much more comfortable now because I know my teammates better and I’m more confident in my own game.”
Awaka has improved steadily throughout this season, and the junior finding her grove down the stretch could spell challenges in the paint for most opponents.
She gave another glimpse of that talent on Wednesday in the Presidents’ 63-42 win over Red Hook. Awaka had 21 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and two steals to lead Roosevelt, which dominated in the second half.
“She’s gotten better at getting position early and calling for the ball, letting the girls know she’s open,” Roosevelt coach Cliff Sauer said, adding that Awaka worked in the offseason with Darren Jackson, a SUNY New Paltz assistant women’s basketball coach.
“We’re not used to having a low-post presence on offense, so the girls are still learning how to find her in good positions,” he continued. “She’s learning how to create good angles and be assertive.”
Awaka has excelled defensively, blocking and altering shots, and using her strength and athleticism to dominate as a rebounder. But the next step in her progression is becoming the focal point of the offense. The Presidents long have been a program anchored by playmaking guards but, Sauer said, the offense now is at its best when playing “inside-out.”
The attention Awaka drew inside helped create driving lanes and openings outside, which the Presidents exploited in a 22-point third quarter.
Stewart scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half and Asyra Mattocks-King had nine points for Roosevelt (6-5).
Erin Drickel added seven points, mostly on drives and cuts to the basket. Yadi Smith had four points, six assists and three steals, and Alexandra Enkler scored five points.
“It helps a lot knowing if I get stuck down low, I have good shooters to get the ball to,” Awaka said. “It makes it so that I don’t have to force shots.”
Turning point
The teams played a back-and-forth first half that saw four ties and five lead changes. The Presidents went ahead for good, 22-21, on Awaka’s free throws with 1:37 left in the second quarter, and took a 26-22 lead to intermission.
Roosevelt then took control, opening the third with a 10-0 run that included two 3-pointers from Stewart in the first two minutes.
“My shot was off early, so I started driving more and I got a couple baskets inside,” the shooting guard said. “Once I got a couple to go in, I got into a rhythm and found my shot.”
The Presidents limited Red Hook’s ability to drive with a 2-3 zone, which in turn led to errant passes and turnovers. When the Raiders did penetrate, they often were met in the paint by Awaka’s extended arms.
Roosevelt went up 48-34 on Smith’s steal and outlet pass to Awaka for a layup with 26 seconds remaining in the third.
Player of the Game
Awaka impacted the game on both ends, her length and quickness creating mismatches against either of the Raiders’ 6-footers.
“She’s an unbelievable talent, as athletic as any kid I’ve ever coached,” Sauer said. “She’s strong, has great footwork, the complete package. People don’t know this, but she can shoot threes, too. She hasn’t done it in games yet because we keep her near the rim. But she knocks them down consistently in practice.”
By the numbers
Red Hook (9-5) – Morgan Tompkins had 16 points, including three 3-pointers, along with nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Emilie Kent added 10 points and McKenzie Simmons scored eight.
Quotables
“I think we can be really good,” Stewart said. “We took a loss to Saugerties on Tuesday and we bounced back with a win over a really good team. It shows that we don’t put our heads down after a loss and we can learn from our mistakes. I don’t think we’re done getting better. We have potential and we’re still looking to hit our stride before (the playoffs).”
“Doing this against a really good team is a huge confidence booster,” Sauer said. “We came off an overtime loss and we talked a lot about things we need to improve. I was a little surprised they were able to absorb as much and put it together. It usually takes a few practices to work things out and start applying it. I’m proud of the way they adjusted.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Girls basketball: Awaka, Stewart star as Roosevelt dominates Red Hook
