GC's Kaliya Sutton commits to UMO for basketball
Greene Central’s Kaliya Sutton commited to the University of Mount Olive to play basketball Friday. Standing next to Sutton is her aunt, Latesha Haddock, and mother, Natasha Sutton. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News
By Junious Smith III
SNOW HILL | Greene Central’s Kaliya Sutton is Mount Olive bound.
Sutton committed to the Trojans in women’s basketball Friday after a strong career with the Rams. Sutton was a consistent double-double threat for Greene Central over her four-year career, including averages of 7.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during the 2018-19 campaign. In a recent showcase at Columbia High School, Sutton scored 38 points, showing off her low-post game and also her expanded range she’s developed over the years.
Sutton, who plans to study business management at UMO, said she almost immediately had the school on her radar on the first visit.
“When I went there, I really liked the environment there,” Sutton said. “It felt like home and the people were really good to me.”
Sutton was the leader of a very young Greene Central team — she was the lone senior on a roster with three freshmen, three sophomores and four juniors — and Rams coach Tammy Elbert said she did plenty to assist her teammates.
“Kaliyah was a very important leader and the girls learned a lot form her,” Elbert said. “When she wasn’t on the floor, she was giving good advice from the bench and overall, I think she had a great impact on them.”
Sutton said she wanted to set a good standard.
“My goal was to show more leadership and lead by example,” Sutton said. “I think they’ll do well next year if they continue to put the work in.”
Natasha Sutton, Kaliya’s mother, knows UMO very well, receiving an art degree from the university. While it didn’t play a role in Kaliya’s decision, Natasha Sutton said she was excited for her daughter and ready to see what she does at the next level.
“She hustled and put in the effort, showing that hard work pays off,” Sutton said. “Mount Olive is a great school and I’m expecting great things from Kaliya. I know she’ll do well there.”
