Adia Revell saw untapped potential in Latasia Ward.
“She was a talented player who just needed to refine her game and broaden it a little bit,” the ASA women’s basketball coach said.
Despite the former Wings guard being Revell’s best player, she pushed her more than anyone else. Ward was fine with the prodding and responded with loyalty, trust and enthusiasm. Even after long practices, Ward would remaing in the gym to work on her left hand — she was nicknamed the Right-hand Bandit because of her need for development in that area — and on an array of dribble moves and shooting.
“She would be exhausted, she would probably be annoyed, but was always respectful,” Revell said. “She always did it. She got better.”
Ward didn’t have a Division I college scholarship offer out of high school, only interest from Iona. With the hard work and persistence Revell detailed, she recently signed a National Letter of Intent with Stony Brook. She chose the America East school over the University of New Orleans, Central Connecticut State and Oakland University.
“I was in the gym every day,” Ward said. “I had to be a workaholic.”
She was looking for a place where she could be part of the family, something Ward felt she got in Stony Brook with coach Beth O’Boyle. Ward will join four fellow ASA sophomores – Brittany Webb (Seton Hall), Ariel Thomas (Florida A&M), Tanikqua McFarlane (Florida A&M), and Ashley Watson (Florida A&M) – at the Division I level next season.
“I’m speechless,” Ward said. “Since I was in high school, since I was little, I wanted this goal to be able to go Division I.”
All the hard work paid dividends on the court for Ward. She leaves ASA as its all-time leading scorer with 551 career points and the first two-year player to score 200 or more points in consecutive seasons. Last season, she averaged 11.7 point per game and 6.2 rebounds in leading the Avengers to the program’s first two trips to the District C tournament as winners of Region XV.
She was named an honorable mention All-American. During her senior season at Wings, Ward averaged 21.6 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists as she led the Wings to the PSAL Class A finals.
Revell never had to question any decision Ward made on or off the court, she said. Ward was the type of kid who didn’t want to disappoint even when Revell would pull her aside during games for criticism.
“She was like a mother figure to me,” Ward said of Revell. “What I like about her is she played the game before. I wouldn’t want it from anyone but her.”
Ward got a similar feeling a Stony Brook. Revell said she lucked out getting Ward, who she felt was underdeveloped in school. Thanks to countless hours in the gym that is no longer the case.
“I really wanted it,” Ward said. “I really wanted to improve my game. I really love the game.”