Isis Almyty has a former West Virginia center to turn to for basketball advice. At home, she calls her Mom.
Latitia Almyty played for the Mountaineers under her maiden name, Latitia Williams. Her daughter now plays the same position—a 6’1” center at Belle Vernon Area High School, in the Class of 2029—with her own ideas about where to take her game.
“I’m working on my midrange, so I don’t have to be like all inside,” Isis said.
She is adding to a game that already makes an impact near the basket.
“Isis is a strong, athletic presence in the post who uses her physicality to establish position, finish through contact, and control the glass on both ends,” said her SLAAM coach, Cornelious Nesbit.
Almyty has earned Division I offers from Robert Morris and Mercyhurst.
Her next steps include developing the midrange shot, working on her dribbling, and improving at the free-throw line. Most of that individual work happens at home, where her mother also offers basketball guidance.
Isis values the everyday support from both parents just as much: getting her to practice and trying to make every game.
“That just makes it easier,” she said.
Her answer about what teammates can count on is brief: “Making the right decision.”
“What separates her is her decision making,” he said. “She doesn’t force the game, recognizes double teams, makes smart passes, and knows when to attack.”
That ability to stay composed matters to Almyty. In a win against South Park, she remembers feeling that everyone had to play together to put Belle Vernon in a better position in the section race. Her response was to breathe and keep herself from getting overwhelmed.
“I got to stay cool so we can win this game,” she recalled telling herself.
Away from basketball, Almyty sometimes plays soccer and has been exploring photography. For now, she takes pictures of nature. As her skills grow, she wants to try action photography, too.
She sees a promising team at SLAAM, where she will play under Nesbit. What she wants to accomplish there is clear.
“I’m trying to win with that team,” she said.
Nesbit sees a player who can “impact winning on both ends.” At SLAAM, Almyty will bring the physical post game and decision-making he describes while continuing to develop her midrange shot and free throws. She already knows how she can help a team inside. Now she is working to make her offense effective a few steps farther out, too.