LANTANA – Whitney Howell has been a leader on and off the court for the Santaluces Lady Chiefs basketball program.
Howell has been a model student-athlete in more ways than one, which is a key reason why she’s getting recognized for the amazing season she had.
For that and so much more, she has been selected as our New Era Prep Student-Athlete of the Month. In addition, the Lady Chiefs standout has been named the Sun-Sentinel’s Player of the Year for girls basketball.
Next season Howell will be playing Division I college basketball at Seton Hall. With a current 3.0 grade point average, in addition to the 413 points and 406 rebounds she racked up in her senior season, it’s not hard to see why she’s headed to bigger things on the next level.
Howell spoke on both her individual and team’s success this past season, which resulted in her helping the Lady Chiefs achieve their most successful season ever.
“Myself and the other seniors talked a lot and wanted to take our team far, especially because it was our last year.” Howell said. “When playoffs came around, all of us seniors were more focused than ever, and the whole team got more focused as well.”
Although Howell appreciates the well-deserved honors, she knows the mission isn’t done.
“I need to work harder than I ever have and stay focused,” Howell said. “It’s going to be a big transition, but I am ready for the challenge. I just want to get better and have a great college experience.”
Howell’s academic and athletic success were never a given as she reflected on her high school career.
“I was not very good when I first came to high school, but I wanted to get better,” Howell said. “I knew that I had the potential to get where I am because people kept telling me and encouraging me to go after a dream to play college basketball.”
Howell would elaborate on her memories and the Lady Chiefs basketball culture.
“As I got better at basketball, I really had fun competing,” Howell said. “I love Santaluces, and I love this program. Our basketball program is great because we really have a family culture. Our coaches emphasize team unity, putting each other above ourselves, and giving our best. Academically I have been able to have a good balance between sports and school. Our coaches really keep us accountable of being in class, getting our work done, and making sure we are on track to get good grades. “
Goal setting and goal getting are what come to mind when Howell was asked about how she felt about her Player of the Year honor and whether it was something she strived for.
“Its a big deal!,” Howell said. “I set a goal to become the Player of the Year before season began, so it is cool to see it actually happen. I strived for it, but I did not expect it. I know there are a lot of really good players in the county. It is an honor to have received it.”
Although Howell stands alone as Player of the Year – and our Student-Athlete of the Month – she did not forget about all of the people that helped her achieve this goal.
“Shout out to my sister Brittney,” she said. “I would never have even played basketball without her encouraging me to do so. It has been some of the best years of my life to play with my best friend.”
Howell went on to thank all of the coaches involved in her growth.
“Thanks to Coach Price, Coach Mikey, Coach Randy, Coach Marquis, and my dad who have trained me and saw potential in who I could be.” Howell said. “I never would have gotten to where I am without them pushing me and holding me accountable.”
WHITNEY’S LEGACY AT SANTALUCES
Lady Chiefs head coach Zoe Price is on the slate for Coach of the Year in the 9A classification. Price would reflect on her coaching experience with Howell.
“Whitney is a player that has put in the work over the past three years to get herself to this position,” Price said of Howell, who recorded 671 points, 700 rebounds, and 91 blocks over the past three seasons.
“I am thrilled for her to reap the rewards of her hard work. The weekend before our first pre-season game, we went away for team bonding and goal setting. During that weekend, Whitney wrote down her own goals and she completed them all. She wanted to get over 350 rebounds this season (she got over 400), get better at dribbling, and wanted to become Player of the Year. It’s been fun to watch her go after those.”
Price spoke on Howell’s legacy and how much they’ll miss the senior leader, who averaged 15 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks throughout the season.
“We will really miss her!,” Price said. “It is hard to find someone like Whitney who is first of all as athletic as she is and as tall as she is. But on top of that, she has really helped grow this program into the competitive program it is.”
Price didn’t stop there.
“I believe that she has done well in leaving a legacy and investing in those younger players,” Price said. “We will be okay, but it will not be the same. I am thrilled to see her continue on her basketball career at Seton Hall. She will have a great experience there, and I know that she will get way better than she is now with that coaching staff. It is a perfect fit for her.”
Price delved even further on her happiness for Howell’s milestone moment.
“Watching Whitney get a scholarship to go play college basketball is really rewarding to watch,” Price said. “It has inspired many younger athletes in our program to go after their dreams. They have seen how hard she has worked and how far she has come, so now they will be more likely to go after their goals to play college ball.”
Price said Howell’s legacy will also be decorated with her infectious personality and lighthearted jokes.
“Whitney has a hilarious sense of humor,” Price said. “She is humble and laughs at herself the moment she makes a mistake or is wrong. She constantly brings laughter and joy to the team as a whole.”
The love and dedication between the Howell sisters (Whitney and Brittney) were evident throughout the year as they dominated down low for the Lady Chiefs. Brittney Howell can be seen as the unsung hero as she’s been praised by both her sister and head coach for helping Whitney achieve her goals.
Price would elaborate on the pair’s hard work and dedication to one another.
“Whitney would never have been the player she is today if it weren’t for her twin sister Brittney,” Price said. “Coaching both of them together has been really fun. They both are super competitive, especially with each other. Many times Whitney has said that if it weren’t for Brittney, she would have never even played basketball. Brittney has been one of her biggest supports and best teammates.”
On Whitney moving forward as a college student athlete, Price would offer some insight as to what we should expect from her in the future.
“Whitney’s confidence has come full circle since I have known her,” Price said. “When I first began to coach her, we could see her potential. But she had no idea just how good she could be. Her confidence has clearly grown due to all of the hard work she has put in. Her focus and determination has played a huge role in who she is as a student-athlete. Once she got that confidence, her determination took off. The sky is the limit for her as she continues to improve.”
