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Buccaneers' enduring force

Through two seasons, senior Turquoise Sampson has revitalized Gulf and given the team a chance for a state title.

By IZZY GOULD
Published January 29, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - These might be the final seconds of Turquoise Sampson's career.

What a ride for a girl who as a middle-schooler was "forced" by her mother to play any sport.

She chose basketball. And Gulf coach Mike Quarto is glad she did.

Sampson clearly will be a key player if Gulf - ranked No. 3 in Class 4A - is to make a push for a state title. First the Buccaneers must get through the district tournament.

Recently, Quarto honored Sampson with a pregame ceremony to commemorate her climb to 1,000 career points.

Sampson was at 1,031 after Thursday's 61-28 win against Mitchell, her former school.

Quarto called it "the most quiet 1,000 points you'll ever see."

The achievement was not unanticipated.

"Her grandfather taught her the game," Quarto said. "Turquoise only started playing basketball in the seventh grade. She gets a lot of that toughness from him.

"When she transferred in she immediately stepped in and was a force."

Sampson never seems to stay anchored to any one place for too long. She was raised in New Jersey, a short car ride to Center City from Philadelphia.

She brought some street grit here when her mother, Amber Ashford, decided to move her to Florida while still in elementary school. True to her roots, Sampson still cheers for the 76ers and Allen Iverson.

Twice a year, she returns to the Northeast where her grandfather, Jay Thomas, taught her the game.

Perhaps her gift spawned out of pure fight, playing each summer against a group of unforgiving boys.

She played one year of JV basketball before landing a starting varsity spot as a Mitchell freshman. She quickly took charge.

As a sophomore, she led the Mustangs in scoring, steals and assists. She also ranked second in rebounding.

Then came Sampson's toughest decision - her transfer to Gulf.

Many considered her move a shift in power.

Based on Gulf's rise during the past two seasons, that's difficult to argue. The Bucs are 49-3 and considered a favorite to battle for the state title.

Mitchell has remained strong, posting a 20-4 mark this season while claiming a district title and cracking the Class 6A top-10 poll for the first time.

"It wasn't that I didn't like Mitchell or the people there," Sampson said. "I liked it better here. ... It's just everything put together."

Sampson has complemented a fabulous team with five players who would star on almost any other team. She joins Tiara Cook, Dominique English, Nicole Allison and Santana Lennon to form the most efficient starting five in Pasco County.

She will be missed by many.

"We've grown up practically together," Gulf teammate Despina Barton said. "She's one of the best players in Pasco. Me, Turquoise and Sam (Ovind) work together at Pizza Hut.

"I don't want to think about her leaving because it's sad. We've been together a long time."

When Sampson's season ends, so might her career.

She is leaning toward attending South Florida or Florida Southern.

And if she plays basketball it would be as a walk-on.

Whatever her decision, it has been a lovely ride.

"I don't know if I'm going to play basketball or not," Sampson said. "My family wants me to, but I'm not sure if I really want to do that. Sometimes I think I need a break. But I want to play because I love the sport.

"It's hate-love with basketball."

Contact Izzy Gould at 813 909-4612 or sportsjournalist@gmail.com

[Last modified January 29, 2006, 01:28:20]