Something supernatural happens every time Northside senior Alex Adams steps onto a playing surface. A quiet, intelligent, 5-foot-7 student-athlete is transformed into the fiercest of competitors — loud, active and focused on the objective at hand, capable of completely taking over a game at any moment.

A varsity letterman in three sports, Adams has become the face of Northside athletics over the last few seasons as a sharpshooting, physical, facilitating point guard for the basketball team, a power-hitting middle hitter in volleyball and a scrappy shortstop for one of the best softball teams in school history.

So, what’s her favorite sport?

“People ask me that all the time. It depends on if I’m having a good day in that sport … but I’d probably have to go with basketball.”

Her favorite sport also happens to be her best. A former Daily News Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2014, Adams’ role on the team became more comprehensive with each academic year. Fitting more of a role-player mold her first two seasons, she broke out during the 2013-2014 campaign, leading her team in nearly all offensive categories while working in a two-guard set with senior guard Cheyenne Franks. When Franks graduated, the role of initiator, distributor and scorer became Adams’ responsibility.

“I had to basically take it into my own hands,” she said. “If they were playing a 2-3 (defense), I had to deicide what to do with the ball. Cheyenne was that last year, but I feel like I did pretty good doing her job, as well as my job. It was a lot on my back and I just wish them the best of luck next year.”

The basketball team finished with a disappointing 7-13 record and made a swift exit in the first round of the playoffs. Prior to the winter, Adams filled a similar role for the Panthers volleyball team and was head coach Kayla Maddox’s go-to offensive option.

Paired with setters Kendall Alligood and Kelsey Lang, Adams led Northside to the third round of the state playoffs, the furthest the program has ever gone, before falling to powerhouse Riverside.

“For one, I hated losing, but the adrenaline I got from winning and hitting the clutch shots to win the game kept me going,” Adams said. “I like how everybody looks up to me as a role mode, younger kids. The fact I get to be with my friends all the time, that’s what drives me to do it everyday.”

The playoff success in volleyball then translated to the softball diamond, where Adams was a slap-hitting leadoff hitter and defensive-minded shortstop for head coach Riley Youmans. Northside went on to win its first 24 games before falling to North Duplin in the eastern regional championship.

Adams finished her final athletic season with a .368 average, 34 runs, seven RBIs, three triples, a home run and Daily News All-County honors.

Adams will attend East Carolina University this fall and plans on majoring in Finance through the College of Business. She hopes to stay active in intramural athletics.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

TAYLOR MANN, SO., PUNGO

One of the tallest female athletes in the county, Pungo’s Taylor Mann is a threat on any playing surface. Mann was the Raiders’ leader on the hardwood, averaging 19.25 points, 11.8 rebounds and two blocks a game. The 6-foot sophomore also finished the volleyball season with an 88 percent serve percentage, 5.07 aces per match and 10.27 kills per match. In softball, Mann batted .327 with 15 RBIs and a .367 OBP.

 

ABBY WALKER, SR., WASHINGTON

Paired with middle hitter Adriana Tyson, Abby Walker was a pillar of consistency this season for the Pam Pack volleyball team, finishing with 220 kills, 89 blocks 13 assists 48 aces and 403 digs. In basketball, she led the team with 15 points and nine boards per game, earning All-Eastern Plains Conference honors in both sports.

 

SYMONE RUFFIN, FR., SOUTHSIDE

An up-and-coming talent for the Seahawks, freshman Symone Ruffin was quietly one of the top three-sport athletes in the county this season. While leading her team on the volleyball court, Ruffin also led Southside on the hardwood with 9.3 points, 3.2 boards and 5.1 steals per game. In softball, Ruffin was an All-Coastal Plains Conference selection with a .305 average, eight RBIs, 24 runs and 25 stolen bases.

 

REBECCA HARRISON, JR., TERRA CEIA
This season’s breakout athlete of the year, junior Rebecca Harrison led the Knights basketball team in the absence of senior Taylor Newman, who spent a good portion of the season recovering from a broken nose. Harrison initiated the offense and was one of the team’s leading scorers, averaging 8.4 points, 2.9 rebounds 1.6 assists per game. In softball, Harrison led the Knights with a .512 average, five homers, 14 RBIs, and 23 runs.