The Seaford Blue Jays recently celebrated a new all-time girls’ basketball leading scorer when senior Amira Tingle scored her 1,539th point, passing Lashyra Williams who held the record since 2013.
The senior guard said her grandfather Jeffrey Johnson ignited the passion for basketball. “It all begins with my grandfather who put a ball in my hand and it took off. I was always in the gym with my grandfather Jeff,” Tingle said.
Tingle also said her family has always been courtside, “My family support especially my mom Natasha Tingle and dad LaShon Cannon who are at every game. It means a lot and lets me know I can go out and perform for them even if it is a bad performance, they are there for me.”
Seaford congratulated new all-time leading scorer Amira Tingle. She is shown with her family, including father LaShon Cannon, grandfather Jeffrey Johnson, and mother Natasha Tingle. Photo by Lynn Schofer
Amira’s passion for the game evolved and she committed to off-season workouts and leagues. “It takes commitment but you also must be coachable, willing to take harsh criticism,” Amira said. “You have to be able to take the good, the bad or whatever comes with it because it can be tough but I just keep going.”
Amira said as a freshman at Seaford High School she had never envisioned that she’d become the all-time leading scorer but Williams said she believed she would.
“Mr. Jeff (Johnson) had her in the gym with a basketball in her hand since she was four years old, I knew it was coming. I knew she had the talent,” said Williams. “It was bittersweet to see my record get broken but I would not rather have it been anyone but Amira.”
Tingle followed that sentiment, “I grew up watching Skittles (La’Shyra) play basketball and I can’t beat her but I can take little keys from her game and put it into mine.”
The 2023-2024 season brought change to the girls’ program when Coach Jedidiah Roach took over as head coach. “Whew the difference he has made,” Tingle said of her coach. “The man is incredible, he believes in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves. I feel his drive and dedication and desire to be at Seaford which just made me want to get out there and show I got this.” Tingle said of her teammates, “Them girls they are my heart and Kimyra Cornish-Baine who I have a special bond and know I can get her the ball and she will. The team is family and love to be part of, I wouldn’t choose any one else to play and finish out the year.”
Tingle said of her future, “Graduation and then I think I am going to join the Army and return to the area and enter college and then give back to the community.”
Seaford finished the regular season this week against Delmar before state tournament play begins.
