When choosing where she would attend college, Clayton High School basketball standout Lacei Sams loved the campus and atmosphere at Nova Southeastern, located in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“I love the gym, the environment,” she said. “I can see the beach from the campus. I love swimming.”
She will attend the university on an athletic scholarship and major in biology after an accomplished high school career, both on and off of the basketball court.
The racial demographics of the university are similar to those at her high school. Nova Southeastern had 22 percent African-American undergraduates in Fall 2012, the most recent numbers available, and Clayton School District’s student body is about 20 percent African-American.
Despite a smaller percentage of African-American students than at city schools, Sams said she never felt out of place at Clayton. In fact, when choosing whether to attend high school at Clayton or Villa Duchesne, Clayton’s higher percentage of African Americans was a pivotal factor.
“The deal breaker was that there were more African Americans there, because some schools don’t have many African Americans, and I felt really happy and comfortable at Clayton,” Sams said.
Her choice proved to be a good one. At Clayton, Sams excelled. She succeeded in the classroom, performed well in sports and was named Homecoming Queen her senior year.
“She has put her time in, both on the basketball court and in school, so she’s done a lot on both ends,” said Karen Sams, Lacei’s mother.
Sams’ time at Clayton culminated in the second semester of her senior year, when Sams was named the Suburban-East Conference Player of the Year in basketball, received All-District basketball honors and had a semester grade point average above 3.0.
“She’s been a real delight to teach and a wonderful young lady,” said Amy Chappuis, Sams’ English teacher her sophomore year. “I’m so excited for her and really proud of her as well.”
If Sams was struggling in her classes, she would not shy away from asking for help, Chappuis said. Whether it meant scheduling a second writing conference or checking in with a tutor, Sams would do what was needed.
Heath Kent, the Clayton varsity basketball coach, appreciated her discipline, knowing he never had to worry about Sams when he checked on his team members’ academic performance.
“We do periodic grade checks during the season, and she was never one that we would have to check in on or worry about,” Kent said. “She was always in good standing.”
Sams’ peers, coaches, teachers and parents also enjoyed her warm personality.
“I think she – on as well as off of the court – has a very positive attitude,” said Alvin Sams, her father. “She’s a diplomat; she is a very outgoing individual and a peacemaker.”
For community service, Sams volunteered with Forest Park Forever, an organization that is committed to the improvement and maintenance of Forest Park. Sams and her family co-chaired “Circus Wonderland,” a family tea party that raised money for the park.
Sams is a member of Newstead Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, where Elder Richard L. Pearson Sr. is Pastor and Sis. Mary J. Pearson is First Lady. Sams is active in the Sunday school.
At Nova Southeastern she will be active on the hardwood. The university has a top-notch Division-II basketball program. In the 2013 Division-II NCAA tournament, the Sharks made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost in overtime. Though it will take some time for her to get adjusted to the faster, more physical college game, Kent feels Sams’ best days are ahead of her.
Chappuis agrees, crediting Sams’ work ethic, leadership and willingness to listen to instruction as contributors to her success.
“She’s diligent and hard-working and coachable,” Chappuis said. “She really asks for help when she needs it. She’s a self advocate, and she wants to do well. At the same time, she is both a leader and a team player.”
