Raymond Prep Brings Experience to the Capstone
11/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? Turnarounds and rebuilding processes are all part of sport at all levels. From the NBA to the local high school gym, experience in this matter can be key. For the Alabama women’s basketball team, Raymond High School standout Kayla Robinson won’t only help the Tide with her talent, but also her experience in being the centerpiece of a turnaround.
Robinson, who signed with Alabama and will suit up in the 2008-09 season led Raymond to one of the most storied turnarounds in Mississippi history. As a sophomore, Robinson and the Lady Rangers only won six games. Last season as a junior, the 6-foot-2 forward guided RHS to 31 wins and a 3A Semifinal appearance.
Both these attributes garnered some heavy attention from the likes of Vanderbilt and Indiana, but it was head coach Stephany Smith that was able to nab the Raymond standout.
“Kayla is a very strong power forward who can provide great presence around the rim,” coach Smith said. “However, there is more to her game than just those skills required in the paint. She can knock down the 17-foot shot, attack from the high post and use a variety of moves in the low post which makes her a dominant force. Combine those assets with a transition game and footwork to catch and finish at full speed and we look forward to adding her to our roster.”
Robinson averaged 18.7 points per game, grabbed 14.0 boards per night and had two steals and helpers per contest. Robinson tallied a career-high 38 points versus Quitman and earned All-Metro honors.
“Kayla is extremely explosive in the paint,” Raymond head coach Shay Jackson said. “She has worked very hard to get to this point in her career and we are all very excited about her future.”
Robinson has a bright future ahead of her, be it on the hardwood or off it. Robinson is an honor student at Raymond, maintaining a 3.6 GPA.
Outside of the gym, Robinson also takes her athletic prowess to the discus ring. Robinson is the reigning 3A state champion in the discus, having uncorked the disc over the 100-foot barrier since her sophomore season.
Robinson will join fellow recruit Carmen McCoy as the two twin towers of the class. Standing at 6-2 and with McCoy at 6-4, Smith has a tall talented repertoire down in the paint for years to come.
With 31 wins under her belt as a junior after a six-win sophomore season, Robinson looks to take Raymond even further in her senior campaign. The Alabama faithful look for Robinson to help do the same at the Capstone.
