The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN former Bahamian basketball player turned coach Cedricka Sweeting-Badmus recruited Adena Webster during the COVID-19 pandemic, she knew that she was getting a player who could make the transition from the Bahamas to the United States.

That transition was made possible by Webster, who decided that instead of carrying jugs of water to survive, she decided to start playing basketball to get out of the trenches alive.

“I remember bouncing a basketball at an early age and it was natural for me,” Webster said. “God has truly blessed me with a gift and I used it to navigate my life in a positive way.”

Webster, the 17-year-old daughter of Dino Webster and Rose Hamilton, is a 5-foot, 7-inch guard who currently attends Schoolhouse Prep as she prepares to make another transition in her life.

This past summer, she already made the commitment to compete next year for the Temple University Owls, stationed in Philadelphia and competes in the American Athletic Conference.

Her transition all got started when she visited her cousin Shanae Armbrister, a graduate of the University of Georgia, during a trip to Miami, Florida and Sweeting-Badmus - a close friend of Armbrister - was impressed by her performance and advised her that she was coming to the Bahamas to get her.

“At the time, I didn’t know what it meant, but now I see the vision and I trusted the process,” Webster said.

True to form, Sweeting-Badmus got all of the formalities done and Webster, who at the time was attending the TA Thompson Junior High School, was off to Miami through her Paradise Hoops programme.

She credits her level of maturity to the coaching she received from Sweeting-Badmus at Schoolhouse Prep.

Last year, she averaged 34.4 points and 12 rebounds per game as she was listed number two in scoring in the state of Florida.

“You get the best of both worlds,” said Webster about being the wings of Sweeting-Badmus. “She’s someone you can relate to and someone you can grasp knowledge from. She is by far the best coach I ever had.”

And that was one of the reasons why she was recruited by Temple University.

In preparation for transition from high school to college, Webster said she’s looking forward to leaving her name in Florida.

“This season is going to be an incredible season with my niece along my side,” said Webster of Leiyah Bain, who was also recruited by Sweeting-Badmus to attend Schoolhouse Prep after she attended the HO Nash Junior High where she played under coach Patricia ‘Patty’ Johnson.

“We will achieve many great things this year I feel. I do have a young squad alongside me as well. Being the only senior, I plan on leaving an impact while inspiring and encouraging the younger ones to carry the torch.”

Out of all the schools that pursued her, Webster said she selected Temple University because it fit the trend that she developed under Sweeting-Badmus.

“The coaching staff are wonderful and the environment makes you feel as if you’re at home,” she stated. “It’s not just about basketball and winning games but preparing us young ladies for adulthood.”

While she intends to pursue a degree in sports medicine, Webster said she’s looking forward to making an impression on the court for the Owls under head coach Diane Richardson.

“I think to have a lot of energy and bring intensity everyday, along with consistency to grow as a basketball player to elevate my game,” she said.

And a lot of that has to do with her upbringing.

“My cousin Shanae played at UGA, she was always an inspiration and my role model,” Webster reflected.

“I lean on her for a lot of knowledge and understanding about certain aspects of the game.

“But my parents are very supportive and excited for this new journey.”

As for her future plans. Webster said she would like to eventually become a professional basketball player, if not in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), somewhere in Europe.

“I’m an ambassador for an organisation that helps kids like myself which is called Paradise Hoops,” she pointed out. “I understand the true meaning of giving back. I want to be able to give back not just to my community but to others who need a helping hand because someone once helped me. “So, majoring in sports medicine, I can contribute to the young athletes in The Bahamas.”

But for now, Webster wants to continue to soar in her transition from the Bahamas to the United States.