Coming up short is never good. But coming up Short was pretty big Thursday night for Zion-Benton.
Senior guard Niquera Short and her sister Quay, a junior guard, sparked the Zee-Bees to a 61-11 victory over North Chicago in the Maine East Thanksgiving Tournament.
Niquera Short poured in a game-high 17 points for Zion-Benton (1-1), while Quay Short added 16.
“(Quay) has the shooting and I have the dribbling,” Niquera Short said with a smile.
The sisters took turns scoring in bunches against North Chicago (0-2).
Niquera Short scored eight points in the first quarter give the Zee-Bees a 23-4 lead. After being held scoreless in the first eight minutes, Quay Short erupted for six points in the second quarter.
It didn’t stop there. Niquera Short scored six points in the third quarter and hit a 3-pointer in the fourth. Quay Short drilled three jumpers and added a free throw in the fourth.
Niquera Short said she has been pushing her sister to become a key contributor this season. She brings her to shooting sessions and talks to her about her importance to the program.
“She’s been stepping up,” she said. “I’ve been telling her all the time that she’s going to be a senior next year and has to get in the gym and work hard and can’t be lazy. I push her hard and when she does have a down day, I let her know I have her back.”
Zion-Benton coach Tanya Johnson pointed out she’s entering the season with realistic hopes.
The Zee-Bees suffered heavy graduation losses from a team that lost to Class 4A state runner-up Fremd in the sectional final. The biggest losses were point guard Ladellia Maggett, the News-Sun 2015-16 Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and guard Marquitta Easley.
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“If (Niquera) can shoot the way she did (Thursday), that will really help us,” Johnson. “We need her senior leadership, or otherwise it’s going to be a long year and some long games.
“She fit in last year, but I always thought there was another level to this kid. In order for us to be successful this year, she’s going to have to bring it. It’s going to be hard because we’re rebuilding.”
Ideally, the 5-foot-7 Niquera Short would like to duplicate Maggett’s success, individually and team-wise. She’s a threat on both ends of the court with her quickness and fast hands.
“I would like to play (in college),” Niquera Short said. “I know I have to step up every game, and keep my grades up.”
Leadership is an aspect Niquera Short might bring to the table that’s just as important as her jumper. The Zee-Bees have the same number of seniors as freshmen — two.
Senior Sariah Monk, junior Kayla Kinney and Quay Short are either untested or being moved into bigger roles this season. Getting adjusted to Johnson’s hard-driving, tough-love approach is another process.
“We have a lot of young people and some are just learning how coach Johnson works and they’re learning to shoot the ball when open and contribute,” Niquera Short said. “We’re still trying to find everybody’s (place) on this team.”
Bob Narang is a freelance writer for the News-Sun.