When the name Kiara Nieto is announced, you can sense an increase in the stress-level of opposing coaches. All season long, she’s been double, triple, and even quadruple-teamed and still manages to impose her will onto the opposition. She’s a joy to watch and, as Coach Joe Long says, “…rewriting the record books…”
After the 2016 season ended at District Finals, it wasn’t long before the post-season accolades began accumulating. Not only did Kiara win several on-court awards, she led her team to the BCAM Academic All-State honor and achieved an individual All-State award as well (4.0 GPA, no less!). On the court, Kiara was named a member of the Associated Press (AP) All-State First Team, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan “BCAM’s Best“, and The Daily Telegram’s All-County first team.
When asked about Kiara’s success on and off the hardwood, Coach Long said, “She is becoming a complete player in all aspects of the game. She works so hard at her game and only wants what is best for the team. She is selfless, kind and tender hearted. She is a quite a scorer… [with] a few offensive rebounds, foul shots and offense, she suddenly has 20 points and 10 rebounds. Everyone desires a ‘Kiara’ on his or her team and I consider myself fortunate to coach her. She is a leader and a great scorer and friend. She has – by far – the most accomplishments of any player I have coached and probably the most ever for LCS. If I could sum up her play in one word ‘tenacious’.”
Congratulations on a great season, Kiara!