Verbena’s JaNiya White added another special moment to her already successful senior year after signing to play basketball at Wallace Community College in Selma on April 8.

Several family and friends attended the signing ceremony in the Verbena auditorium.

“I was overwhelmed at how many of them actually came out,” White said. “The people that were there were the same ones that always supported me and had my back during the basketball season when things got down.”

White signed just weeks after being named The Clanton Advertiser’s 2019 Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

“What made me choose Wallace was the atmosphere in the school when we went to go tour,” White said. “Everyone was so welcoming, and they already accepted me as a part of their family.”

White had been focused on Wallace since the county tournament, but late interest from Huntingdon made it a tough choice in the end.

“It was a good experience, but it was also difficult,” White said. “It was a relief when I finally signed.”

She leaned on her family to help gain input in the decision process, especially from her parents. She sat down with them and went over the pros and cons of both colleges.

“They said ‘whatever I wanted to do, they were behind me, and that they would support me in any decision I made,’” White said.

During the process, White went to watch two games at Wallace and also went on a campus tour.

According to White, attending the pair of games was something that really helped persuade her decision.

“Sitting there and watching how all the teammates came together to pull out the win was a good experience to see,” White said.

After taking part in the events, she could envision herself running on the court in a Wallace uniform.

One of the main reasons she is excited about playing at the next level is the challenge of facing and increase number of players who have both size and speed.

“I’m looking forward to it,” White said.