Jaquay Williams sparks Audenried girls in rout

Jaquay Williams' natural position is point guard.

It didn't used to be, though. When the Audenried senior first started playing basketball at age 13, she was a post player.

But over the course of a game, Williams does not seem to have a set position. "I play every position," she said. "Unfortunately."

There she was Monday afternoon, bringing up the ball. Next she'd be out on the wing, waiting to take a shot. A few possessions later, she'd post up down low and pull down a rebound before putting it in.

The versatile Williams led all scorers with 22 points as the Rockets remained perfect in the Public League, beating Prep Charter, 64-50.

"This is only the beginning - we still have a long way to go," Williams said. "Anything can happen."

Williams broke out in the third quarter and so did the Rockets (6-1, 4-0), extending their lead to 17 points heading into the fourth.

The team's second-half defense also played a big role against the Huskies (3-2, 2-2). Tatyana Sao, Denijsha Wilson, and Zinnia Wormack were relentless defensively, causing many turnovers and taking steals all the way to the other end for two. The approach frustrated Prep Charter and did not allow the visitors to get into their offense.

The Rockets employed a half-court trap to contain the dynamic Ruquyyah and Nayyirah Neal.

"Those two are the biggest threat on the court," Williams said. "Our main focus was stopping those two."

At the start of the fourth quarter, having scored 13 of her team's 21 points in the third, Williams had earned a rest.

When she returned to the game, Williams brought the ball up - back playing her "real" position.

"It has its ups and downs," she said of playing point guard.

On Monday, the downs were few and far between.

Prep Charter 9 13 16 12 - 50

Audenried 17 17 21 9 - 64

PC: Ruquyyah Neal 19, Nayyirah Neal 19, Samirah Stringfield 4, Liana Maranan 2, Desiree Fernandez 2, Salimah Johnson 2, Indiyah Curtis 2

A: Jaquay Williams 22, Denijsha Wilson 13, Tatyana Sao 10, Labriya Smith 8, Madison Keenan 6, Zinnia Wormack 4, Deja McKinney 1