Waterloo West's Sahara Williams: A burning competitive fire
Star ends Iowa high school basketball career at state
Sahara Williams broke away from her team’s postgame huddle and walked toward the locker room alone. A solitary figure in the state’s biggest arena.
The Waterloo West forward gathered her pride and needed a moment to herself after playing in her final Iowa high school basketball game Monday. West lost to Ankeny Centennial 60-51 in a Class 5A state tournament quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
In her career, she had played in four state tournaments, drawn national college recruiting attention, scored more than 1,500 points and represented the United States in international play.
But it wasn’t enough to end up feeling more determined than ever to succeed in the next stage of her career.
“I’m pretty competitive in everything I do,” Williams said.
Waterloo West’s Sahara Williams walks off the court toward her team’s locker room after Ankeny Centennial beat the Wahawks 60-51 Monday in a Class 5A state girls’ basketball quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. (Photo by John Naughton.)
Williams, a 5-11 forward who will play at Oklahoma, finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals. Her team, last year’s state runner-up, finished 22-2.
She fouled out and sat on the bench in the final minutes, unable to change the outcome.
It was difficult to watch. A player who describes herself as “tenacious” never wants to be in that position. Helpless.
That’s what triggered the walk.
Sahara Williams shoots a free throw at this year’s state tournament. (Photo by John Naughton.)
Williams averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds this season.
She began playing basketball in the fourth grade, running the court for the Junior Wahawks in Waterloo.
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