PREP BASKETBALL: Southern Wayne grad Iyahna Bess signs with Lenoir CC

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 28, 2017 7:22 AM

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DUDLEY -- Iyahna Bess isn't a flashy player on the basketball court.

She doesn't make dazzling passes.

Rarely does she drop a dime off the dribble against an opponent.

Bess is more of a 'silent assassin.' She does the dirty work -- scrambles for loose balls, crashes the boards and plays an aggressive in-your-face style on defense.

Basketball, though, isn't the driving force for the recent Southern Wayne grad who signed a national letter-of-intent with Lenoir Community College. There's much more that dwells deep within the heart and soul of the quiet and reserved guard.

Meet Aunt "Winnie."

Bess' most vocal supporter at most of her neice's basketball and softball games, she became a drug addict during her post-teenage years. She'd stay clean for a while, but couldn't evade the temptation associated with the debilitating and life-threatening drugs that could have led to an early grave.

"She gave me unconditional love," wept Winnie as she wiped away tears that flowly freely down her face.

"She's also timid."

SW head coach Takisha Vann observed Bess' hesitation during preseason freshman workouts. She also saw potential and urged the 5-foot-8 speedster to play varsity. However, she seemed intimidated and nervous -- perhaps a little scared -- by the older girls.

Bess balked.

JV please, was her request.

Vann and then-head coach Ricky Lofton agreed that they needed Bess' hustle on both ends of the hardwood, and to her surprise, they placed her on the varsity roster. As her career progressed, the once-shy Bess would exit the locker room with a heavily-taped ice pack wrapped around a knee. She might have worn an occasional Band-aid to cover a floor burn.

In one game, Bess suffered a dislocated finger and snapped it back into place.

"We had to have her on the court," Vann said. "When she wasn't on the floor, our balance was off. She's always been that player who does the intangibles...fundamental things.

"You'll notice that her game is very quiet and it reflects her personality. She's a leader by example, not very vocal."

Bess understood her role this past season.

She told her mom, Cindy, that she "needed to run the team" and "do what I need to do when I get out there." Little sister Samiya was right by her side nearly every time they stepped onto the court.

Bess averaged 7.2 points, 5 rebounds and 1.9 steals per outing this past winter. She earned all-conference honors on the Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference scene.

The Saints finished 6-6 in league play.

"It was a different feeling, honestly. I really don't know how to explain it," Bess said of her leadership duties.

All of those modest characteristics and blue-collar work ethic wasn't lost on the Lenoir coaching staff. They remained in touch and reached out to Bess toward the end of the school year. She, along with her mom, toured the small campus located just on the outskirts of Kinston.

Bess participated in drills that displayed her ability and she felt a sense of calm once the session ended. Soon the paperwork arrived and she committed to the Lancers, who compete in the Region X Division II ranks.

"It's the perfect place for her," Vann said.

And another chance to strike like a silent assassin.