Gentry's Thomas shooting for goal

Thomas
Thomas

— From the moment Destiny Thomas started playing basketball in third grade, there wasn’t any doubt she wanted to play at the collegiate level.

Eight years later, as a junior at Gentry, the dream hasn’t wavered but there’s still plenty of work to be done for the goal to become a reality.

With five regular-season games remaining for the Lady Pioneers, Thomas, who’s averaging double digit scoring totals at point guard, hasn’t heard from colleges yet but, with her mother and coach’s help, she’s ready to put her name out there.

“I want to play college ball. I really do,” Thomas said. “Me and my mom are putting stuff together. Anyone who wants me, I will play for them. We’re going to start putting clips together.”

Thomas’ mother, Terri Wright, has been a huge influence on her career, because Terri is also a former Gentry basketball player. She had several offers to play college basketball, but a devastating knee injury her senior year derailed those plans.

Nevertheless, she still serves as a personal basketball analyst for Thomas as the two break down each game for an hour after the final buzzer sounds.

Thomas (5-foot-4) is an excellent distributor from the point guard spot, but also serves as a spark on both ends when the Lady Pioneers need it.

During a home loss to Pea Ridge, Gentry (5-15, 3-6 4A-1) trailed by six points with just more than five minutes remaining. Thomas forced three consecutive turnovers by the Lady Blackhawks andconverted them into four of her seven points, helping to keep the Lady Pioneers in the game until the final seconds.

Gentry girls basketball coach Tim Rippy said Thomas needs to clean up her perimeter game and therest will fall into place.

“She should have an opportunity at a smaller school. I feel like if she improves her shooting percentage from the outside, people would seriously look at her,” Rippy said. “She moves her feet well, is pretty quick and makes good decisions in transition with the basketball.”

According to Rippy’s evaluation, Thomas is shooting around 30 percent from three-point range. If shecan up that percentage to 40 percent next season, colleges should start taking more serious looks at her game.

Sports, Pages 10 on 02/29/2012