Walker’s Tiara Young named La. Farm Bureau/LSWA Miss Basketball

Most things on a basketball court come naturally for Tiara Young. But it was a combination of nature and nurture that helped make the Walker High senior who she is today.

“At the age of four when she started playing, Tiara was more advanced,” her mother, Meoka Young, said. “I believe it was because she was always in the gym when I coached. As a seventh-grader, she came off the bench in her first high school game because she needed to see what it was like. It didn’t take long for her to adjust.”

A family-related move from Shreveport’s Evangel Christian to south Louisiana-based Walker High was as smooth as a jump shot in transition for Young, who was selected the Louisiana Farm Bureau/LSWA Miss Basketball winner for 2019.

The 5-foot-10 Young, an LSU signee, led Walker to the District 4-5A title and the Class 5A semifinals in her final high school season.

She had averages of 29.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game and led Walker to the state semifinals. She was also the LSWA’s Outstanding Player last season while playing for Evangel.

“We came together and just kept fighting every game,” Young said of her senior season. “What I think I’ve improved the most on since last year is shooting behind the 3-point line. It’s not as consistent as I would like it to be, but it is better.

“Once I learned my teammates and what they do, I think I improved all around — on defense, offense and handling the ball.”

The year was one of changes for Young in ways other than a move to a new school and new teammates. For the first time since seventh grade, her mother was not her head coach. Meoka Young became an assistant coach at Walker.

Yet none of the major changes fazed Young. Her longtime AAU coach Kenny Carswell of the Louisiana Lightning said nothing she did at Walker surprised him.

“Tiara has always been a hard worker and willing to do whatever she needed to do to get better,” Carswell said. “The stage you play on gets too big for some players, but not Tiara. She started out playing a couple of age-groups up with us. She was always hungry to learn and fearless.”

Young leaves behind plenty of notable numbers — 4,372 career points, including 1,056 points as a senior. Her rebounding total of 1,410 includes 248 in 2018-19.

Like Carswell, coach Blake Zito of Denham Springs saw more than just points and averages when he evaluated Young.

“Tiara’s talent and athletic ability are obvious,” Zito said. “I liked that she was a good teammate, played hard and was just so consistent.”

La. Farm Bureau/LSWA Miss Basketball winners

2019: Tiara Young, Walker

2018: Kourtney Weber, Ursuline

2017: Cara Ursin, Destrehan

2016: Cara Ursin, Destrehan

2015: Kalani Brown, Salmen

2014: Kalani Brown, Salmen

2013: La’Dencia Johnson, Rayville

2012: Lulu Perry, Benton

2011: Tina Roy, Kaplan

2010: Theresa Plaisance, Vandebilt Catholic

2009: Kylie Leonards, Fairview

2008: Deana Allen, Ellender

2007: Tarkeisha Wysinger, Many

2006: Alexis Rack, Franklin

2005: Courtnee Hollins, Fairview

2004: Quianna Chaney, Southern Lab

2003: Katie Antony, Anacoco

2002: Seimone Augustus, Capitol

2001: Seimone Augustus, Capitol

2000: Alana Beard, Southwood-Shreveport

1999: Ashley Antony, Anacoco

1998: Kisha James, Pineville

1997: Kisha James, Pineville

1996: Judy Clark, Singer