Myers Park Girls Basketball Debut at #22 in Nation

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend brought good news, and notoriety, to the Myers Park High School campus, as The USA Today published their opening top 25 girls high school basketball poll on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Myers Park Lady Mustangs made their debut at number 22.

Myers Park boasts 4 returning starters from the 2011-12 team that lost their only game of the season in the state semifinal playoff round. Last year’s coach Dustin Terrell has moved on, and been replaced by long time Charlotte area coaching icon Barbara Nelson, returning to the high school game after five successful years as head coach of Wingate University. Nelson won seven state championships in her twenty plus years as coach of Providence Day School, a Charlotte area private school.

The Lady Mustangs are led by returning starters Saadia and India Timpton, Aliyah Mazyck, and DD Rogers (daughter of Wake Forest and NBA star Rodney Rogers.) Myers Park also has a deep rotation with two returning players bolstered by three starters from their 2-loss JV squad of last year. The addition of Morgan Utegraff, gives the Lady Mustangs a talented and versatile starting five with no player under 5′ 8″, and all with the ability to play multiple positions.

Mazyck, a 5′ 10″ sophomore guard, is as talented a player as there is in Mecklenburg county. Rogers, a 6′ 2″ sophomore post player, has great shooting touch out to the three point line, and the skills and athleticism of a guard. The Timpton sisters also bring phenomenal athleticism to their game, as India, a 5′ 11″ senior, is their defensive catalyst, and can defend anywhere on the floor. Saadia, a 5′ 9″ junior, is arguably the most athletic of the group, and displays an all around game, from ball handling, defensive pressure, and deft shooting touch, that makes her a threat whenever she steps on the hardwoods.

The 2012-13 Myers Park Lady Mustangs are primed for another run a the North Carolina state championship, and I urge any and all supporters, or fans, to make a date one Tuesday or Friday evening this winter to enjoy this fine collection of talent. It seems logical that as this team gets more familiar with coach Nelson’s scheme and style of play, they should become better as the season progresses. Good luck Lady Mustangs!