Northside’s Thompson picks Albany

All it would take is looking at the notes about senior class president, all-A honor roll and involvement in everything from FBLA to Beta Club to know that Kiara Thompson is one of the special students at Northside High.

She also plays a little volleyball and basketball, and it’s in that former sport that Thompson was one hot recruiting prospect. On Friday, Thompson was surrounded by teammates, family and coaches for a signing ceremony that made her a member of the Albany State program beginning in the fall of 2013.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Thompson, the daughter of Joseph and Chandra Thompson. “All the support I’ve had from my family, my teammates, everyone’s been a big help to me during this whole recruiting process.

“With me being a student-athlete, I am very concerned about my grades. That has been my main focus, being able to balance that. It has a lot to do with your own personal management, time management, integrity.”

From the time Thompson first stepped into the Northside gym, the accolades built and built. As a freshman in 2009, she was named Future Lady Eagle on the volleyball team, and the following season she became the Most Improved Player. Thompson took part in a team camp at the University of Florida, and as a senior her team made the GHSA state playoffs.

Then there is the academic honors: scholar athlete for volleyball and basketball, and even an academic excellence award from the track and field team.

What’s her favorite class: science.

“Which is why I am going to be going into the medical field,” said Thompson. “Either a nurse or a doctor. I just really enjoy helping people. I think that would be best for my personality. I love people.”

One of the persons she loves is Casaundra Wilson, Northside basketball coach. The feeling would be mutual, for Wilson has decorated her former forward as team captain last season.

“She is the greatest coach ever,” said Thompson. “She is so supportive outside school. If there are family issues, she’s there. She cares about you as a person.”

Thompson entered Northside as the Female Athlete of the Year at Thomson Middle School, playing basketball and softball and soccer. She had no idea, though, that volleyball would be offered at high school until she was about to become a freshman.

“Coach (Jessica) White came to me when I was an eighth grader coming in for my physicals,” said Thompson. “She mentioned she was the coach and wanted me to play. I got into it, loved it and caught on quickly.

“I’m a right-side hitter. I’m left-handed, which is good for my position. I like using my athletic ability to jump – I’m a really good jumper – and you can use all these skills and abilities you have for this one sport.”

To improve on her volleyball techniques, Thompson played for Steve Rogers in the Central Georgia Volleyball Association. She can jump almost up to nine feet for a block and well over nine feet for an approach. She credits Rogers for giving her the tools she was able to bring back to the Northside teams.

“This whole recruiting process was long,” said Thompson about choosing Albany State and volleyball. “It started before volleyball started. I have gone to several colleges. Albany State was the one that stuck out to me the most. I felt at home. They want to make sure you succeed.

“As soon as I came in for the tryout I gelled with the team.”

She made the tough choice to give up her lifetime love, basketball. Thompson is going to dedicate herself to training this summer at Albany State to ensure her new career gets off to a fast start.

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