Goldsboro's Amari Thompson signs with Lenoir CC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 1, 2015 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Tad Parson took notice when a post player refused to budge and surrender any space underneath the basket - despite being half a foot smaller than her opponent.

She moved her feet.

She played aggressive.

She had quick hands.

Parson liked her intensity and scribbled in his notebook.

Once the game ended, he waited outside the Goldsboro High locker room to speak with girls' head coach LaTina Bullock. The two discussed Amari Thompson's play against Eastern Wayne's Naheria Hamilton, who is expected to be one of North Carolina's premier post players next season.

Thompson's effort impressed Parson.

"In college, you're always looking for players with some height," said the sixth-year Lenoir Community College head coach. "She (Amari) matured a lot from last year. I saw some potential in her in the game when they played Eastern Wayne just by the way she was guarding their big girl."

Parson invited Thompson to a tryout at LCC.

Undecided about her future but with an interest in the Army Reserve, the senior immediately felt like she was at home after her visit to LCC. She excelled in the tryout and showed Parson some parts of her game that he hadn't seen.

"He was really the first coach to talk to me and I felt like he was more interested than any other college (coach) was," said Thompson, who signed a national letter-of-intent with LCC on Thursday afternoon.

"I just want to play ball. I've got to be stronger ... bring intensity. I just need to learn how to push myself more, need to be more committed to what needs to be done on the court and off the court."

Thompson averaged 5.7 points and four rebounds for the Cougars this past season. Goldsboro finished runner-up in Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference play and advanced to the N.C. HIgh School Athletic Association playoffs.

During her three-year varsity career, Thompson scored 296 points, grabbed 316 rebounds and blocked 66 shots, according to statistics recorded on Maxpreps.com. Her only downfalls were getting into early foul trouble and losing focus on the court.

Thompson's absence on the court also took away leadership.

"I've always talked to Amari about knowing when to block a shot and knowing when to be still, so she has to use better judgment on her defensive plays," said Bullock, who played Norfolk State University.

"As far as her being aggressive, towards the end of the season she became very aggressive. Being humble and being willing to listen to change shows me there is growth there. I can see it."

Lenoir finished 10-11 last season, including a 9-9 worksheet against Division II Region X competition. Parson had three players receive scholarships to four-year institutions and he lost several second-year players.

In fact, just one player returns from a year ago.

Parson sees Thompson playing in the post once she hones her skills around the basket. He cautioned that basketball is a contact sport, so she must get stronger and be able to match an opponent's physical play on every possession.

"There's going to be a lot of playing time out there," Parson said.

Bullock smiled.

"Go get it, girl," she said.