RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Our fifth and final nominee for girls basketball Player of the Year is Rapid City Stevens standout, Taaliyah Porter.
Taalyiah began playing basketball in second grade, sparking a passion for the game at a young age.
“I started playing at the Y and then my dad ended up making a travel team,” Porter said. “That was basically what our weekends were filled with. Traveling is where I built my community and where I found that basketball balanced me out.”
Porter began playing varsity as an eighth grader and in her freshman year, found her way into the starting lineup.
Now, the four year starter leaves Rapid City Stevens as one of the most decorated players in program history.
“She’s been a staple of our program. She’s tough, she’s super skilled, her fundamentals,” Rapid City Stevens head coach Adam Dannenbring said.
Taaliyah became the program’s all-time leading scorer this season. She has scored 1,667 career points, surpassing South Dakota icon and current WNBA coach, Becky Hammon.
“It’s just an outstanding acheivement. That record last for 30 years and for her to break that was a pretty special thing,” Dannenbring said.
“I never realized or dreamed of actually doing that before in my life,” Porter said. “As soon as the points kept getting closer in the moment, just leading up to it, it was exciting. Me like beating her, was a cool and great experience.”
Porter averaged more than 22 points per game, leading her team to the state tournament, and also earning a nomination for Player of the Year.
“All of my hard work is paying off and I’m getting recognized for all the things that I’m going through,” Porter said. “Looking back on it, I just never thought I could do it. It’s pretty amazing.”
Porter surpassed Hammon’s record in a loss to O’Gorman on February 7th.
The girls basketball Player of the Year will be unveiled in our Player of the Year Show on Saturday, April 26 at 9:30 a.m.
