Sessions is a rare talent

I've taken plenty of criticism for my declaration that Myrtle Beach quarterback Everett Golson is a rare breed. Well, here is another one for another Myrtle Beach underclassman. Guard Khadijah Sessions is truly special. We all saw the potential as a seventh- and then as an eighth-grader, but she's taken her game to another level this season, her freshman year.

In Thursday's playoff win over North Charleston, she sprained her ankle in the first half, limped to the training room and did not return to the court until walking gingerly to the Myrtle Beach bench after play had already restarted in the second half. She took a seat at the end of the bench and it looked like her night and her team's season were probably going to end. In a Willis Reed-esque return, she came back into the game midway through the third quarter and personally took it over, willing the Seahawks to the win despite dealing with obvious pain. She could barely stand after the game. She had scored 21 points.

Sessions could have averaged a triple double this year had she played in many of her team's blowouts. She can score, she can pass and she is typically the best athlete on the court every time she sets foot on it. I think her best talent is as a passer. That's where her and Golson are similar. He sees the entire field and distributes the ball to receivers that most quarterbacks can't even find in coverage. Sessions sees the passing lanes that only a rare breed of players can find in traffic. She makes everybody around her better. It's amazing to watch.

The sad part about her success is that she overshadows the talents of her teammates. Make no mistake, Sessions is great but many of her teammates are talented, too. Keyaurna Wilson has more raw talent than about 99 percent of the area's players, DJ Hunter is a beast on the boards and Ciara Edwards is developing as an offensive and defensive threat.

The scary part is that they all return next year. I'm not sure this team can win the Class AAA state title - in fact, I don't see anybody beating Lower Richland this year - but the Seahawks have to be an early contender for the 2010 state championship after Lower Richland loses two college-bound players and maybe even its coach after this season.

Myrtle Beach travels to Darlington on Monday (7 p.m.) in the Lower State semifinals.

In Thursday's playoff win over North Charleston, she sprained her ankle in the first half, limped to the training room and did not return to the court until walking gingerly to the Myrtle Beach bench after play had already restarted in the second half. She took a seat at the end of the bench and it looked like her night and her team's season were probably going to end. In a Willis Reed-esque return, she came back into the game midway through the third quarter and personally took it over, willing the Seahawks to the win despite dealing with obvious pain. She could barely stand after the game. She had scored 21 points.

Sessions could have averaged a triple double this year had she played in many of her team's blowouts. She can score, she can pass and she is typically the best athlete on the court every time she sets foot on it. I think her best talent is as a passer. That's where her and Golson are similar. He sees the entire field and distributes the ball to receivers that most quarterbacks can't even find in coverage. Sessions sees the passing lanes that only a rare breed of players can find in traffic. She makes everybody around her better. It's amazing to watch.

The sad part about her success is that she overshadows the talents of her teammates. Make no mistake, Sessions is great but many of her teammates are talented, too. Keyaurna Wilson has more raw talent than about 99 percent of the area's players, DJ Hunter is a beast on the boards and Ciara Edwards is developing as an offensive and defensive threat.

The scary part is that they all return next year. I'm not sure this team can win the Class AAA state title - in fact, I don't see anybody beating Lower Richland this year - but the Seahawks have to be an early contender for the 2010 state championship after Lower Richland loses two college-bound players and maybe even its coach after this season.

Myrtle Beach travels to Darlington on Monday (7 p.m.) in the Lower State semifinals.