Quimby Remains Resilient During Tough Season For Lady Sharks
The Lady Sharks basketball team endured a tough season, losing 25 of 31 games, but one bright spot was point guard Shameir Quimby, who led the squad with 21.8 points and 2.5 assists per game and a 48.1 % shooting percentage.
“She is an unselfish player, but has taken on a leadership role to help lead this team to W’s,” said Lady Sharks Head Coach Susan Summons. “She is a captain and has embraced that role to be a better player and student.”
Quimby, who is originally from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, moved to East Texas, playing on various Amateur Athletic Union teams through her middle school years. She then played at Canton High School for three years, earning All-State accolades and Offensive Most Valuable Player honors from the Canton Independent School District during her tenure.
But the summer before her senior year, she returned to Florida to care for her ailing grandmother and transferred to Fort Walton Beach High School.
“My coach my senior year was my first woman coach in my entire life,” Quimby said. “She coached me relentlessly, making me put the most possible effort on the court.”
The tough love paid off. Quimby averaged 18.8 points as a senior for the Vikings.
“I made a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to let my parents pay for my college,” Quimby said. “I was going to work my hardest to get a scholarship, so I could go off and play and they wouldn’t have to worry.”
Quimby kept that promise when Summons offered her a scholarship to join the Lady Sharks program.
Her first season at Miami Dade College has been challenging. The team endured five losing streaks of at least four games and six losses by at least 28 points, including one by 45. They finished with a 6-25 record.
“It was tough at the start of the season,” Quimby said. “We had international students playing, and the game is much different overseas than it is here, so we had to teach fundamentals until we could come together as one.”
Despite the struggles, the 5-foot-8-inch Quimby bonded with teammates and exhibited grit and leadership.
She had a 39-point performance versus Palm Beach State College on Feb. 7 that saw the freshman shoot an astounding 73.9% from the field. Although the Lady Sharks lost the matchup, Quimby got her revenge two weeks later when she scored 38 points in a 73-61 win versus the Panthers.
“Shameir has led our team with steadfast hard work and dedication,” said Lady Sharks guard Clara Solar. “She leads by example, staying after practice to put up shots, talking us through tough game moments, and she gives her all in every game and practice.”
Next season, Quimby will once again team up with fellow freshman and former Fort Walton Beach High School teammate KaMariya Simmons, who averaged 5.6 points and 6.2 rebounds this season, to lead the Lady Sharks attack.
“[Quimby] remains humble to keep improving, making her teammates better to bring a championship to this program,” Summons said.
Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com.
