There were some girls' basketball players in the area who were capable of taking over a game at any time. But few did so like Jasmine Whitehurst.

Though Pasquotank did not have quite the season it has had in the past few years, it wasn't for a lack of effort on Whitehurst's part.

Justin Falls/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Pasquotank's Jasmine Whitehurst drives around a defender during an NCC Tournament game Feb. 21 at Northeastern High School.

"(In 2006-07), she was one of the factors in doing as well as we did," Lady Panthers coach Janie Cofield said. "I kind of felt like this year she would step up to the challenge."

Pasquotank was without Dana Lewis, a two-time Daily Advance Player of the Year, and Erica Rivera, who is playing for Sweet 16 team George Washington, this year. Whitehurst said she knew the team would need her to fill some of the void.

"I felt like I had a lot of responsibility and my team really needed me to step up," she said. "Their places had to be filled, so I had to come through for my team."

Whitehurst led the team well, pacing the Lady Panthers in everything but turnovers and personal fouls. Her 18.3 points per game was one of the best averages in the area.

At times, Whitehurst showed she could take over a game, but she also made sure the other players stayed involved.

"She would do that when we needed her to do that on some occasions," Cofield said. "But she's not a selfish player. A lot of times, she had opportunities to take over and score all of the points, but she always wanted her team to contribute."

This showed, as Whitehurst led Pasquotank with almost three assists per game. The rest of the scoring was spread around, as 10 other players had two points or more per game.

"I try to get them involved," Whitehurst said of her teammates. "It's not about me, it's about the team. People come thinking that if they stop me, they are going to stop my team, but the team stepped up pretty good."

She also led the team in steals (3.3 per game), blocks (1.3 per game) and rebounding (8.3 per game)

"She loves defense, offense ... she just loves the game," Cofield said. "She would give 100 percent."

Though the team didn't win quite as many games as usual — Pasquotank was 18-8 — Whitehurst says she'd like to lead the team to a perfect record during her senior season because she doesn't like to lose. Beyond that, she has no plans yet.

"I'm just looking to take it one step at a time," Whitehurst said. "I'm just looking to get through (next) season before I start thinking about college."

Blair Meiggs

Camden

Senior led team with 12.5 ppg; had 6.3 rpg

Gerrisha Moore

Edenton

Area's scoring leader with 19.7 ppg; All-NCC

Lacey Nelson

Currituck

Sophomore's final statistics unavailable

Quinyotta Pettaway

Perquimans

Sophomore scored 18 ppg, had 12.8 rpg

Andreka Wrighton

Perquimans

Senior had 13 ppg and led team in assists

Tiffany Welch

Edenton

Senior captain had 9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg

Adelle Drahos

Camden

Senior averaged 10.7 ppg, 10.3 rpg; All-AC

Quanda Grizzle

Currituck

Senior's final statistics unavailable