Saniah Tyler chooses Kentucky after undefeated state championship year
ST. LOUIS (BVM) — Saniah Tyler’s high school basketball career at Incarnate Word has seen plenty of ups and downs. But last season, it finally reached a peak.
As a freshman, Tyler admittedly struggled initially as she attempted to adapt to basketball at the high school level.
“It was a little hard getting used to the system being a freshman,” Tyler explained. “Coming into high school, you had more experienced players with a much higher IQ than I had. It became a lot easier the more and more we practiced with each other.”
By the end of her first season at Incarnate Word Academy, and into her sophomore campaign, Tyler began showing flashes of brilliance on the court. That helped lead her team all the way to the state semifinals.
“I feel that I improved a lot going into my sophomore year,” Tyler said. “Learning from those upperclassmen my freshman year gave me confidence going into my sophomore year.”
The Red Knights were poised to cap their 2020 season with a state title. But before they could do so, the remainder of the year was canceled due to COVID-19.
“The team and I were extremely excited,” Tyler noted. “It felt so amazing making it to the final four at state, because everyone doubted us, simply because we were a ‘young team’ given that we lost four seniors prior. When we got the bad news, it was like we put all of our blood, sweat and tears in this for nothing.”
A heartbreaking way to cap the season as it was for many athletes, Tyler and the Red Knights had added motivation going into last winter’s campaign.
“It motivated us a whole lot,” the point guard added. “It shows us that we should never take anything for granted. It taught us to practice hard every chance we get, because we never know when it might be our last time. Going into my junior year, I simply wanted to win state.”
During the 2020-21 season, Incarnate Word came back with a vengeance, led by Tyler who had her best season yet. Averaging 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game — in addition to draining over 70 3-point attempts — Tyler proved huge for the Red Knights all season.
Sprinkling in several big games throughout the campaign, Tyler helped lead her team back to the position it was at last year, and this time, the Red Knights had a chance to compete while at state.
In the state quarterfinals, Tyler scored 21 points to spark a comeback win over Columbia Rock Bridge, preserving the team’s perfect record. From there, Incarnate Word was absolutely dominant, blowing out Staley in the semifinals by a 77-40 margin.
The state title game saw more of the same as Incarnate Word took down Webster Groves 58-37, capping off a perfect 29-0 season with a long-awaited gold trophy.
I-DUB‼️‼️
STATE CHAMPS!! pic.twitter.com/hflDrJX5Ue
— Incarnate Basketball (@iwa_hoops) March 21, 2021
“It felt like a dream come true,” Tyler said. “That is going to be something I will cherish forever. It feels very special because it was not in any of our minds to go 29-0. Our only goal was to make it to state. We’ve spent countless hours in the gym, our hard work has definitely paid off.”
While a state championship might just take the cake, basketball success is nothing new for the 5-foot-7 point guard. Beginning with the game in third grade at her local YMCA, Tyler’s talent was realized instantly.
“I kind of just picked up a ball one day when I was outside during recess,” Tyler said. “I went home and told my mom that I wanted to play basketball. What I love most about basketball is it allows me the opportunity to meet different people from all over the world. I also loved spending my summers traveling to different states which I would not have been able to do if I never started playing basketball.”
It didn’t take long before Tyler’s travel career got started. Initially playing up a grade at Saint Angela Merici, the basketball standout joined STL Force — now Midwest Select — and has continued her club career with Brad Beal Elite.
“I have enjoyed playing with some of my teammates that I’ve known for five-plus years,” Tyler said about playing travel ball. “It has gotten me exposure and it has given me the opportunity to play against other top players.”
Exposure is something Tyler never lacked. Just four years after picking up a basketball, she began receiving college interest during seventh grade. She continued through the recruiting process as she entered high school, but wanted to make a commitment sooner than later.
Once this past summer rolled around, Tyler knew it was time. With offers from many strong women’s college basketball programs, the Incarnate Word senior narrowed her options down to a few heavyweights, some of which included Tennessee, Michigan and Iowa.
However, even despite a coaching change, it was the commitment and relationship with the Kentucky Wildcats that led to Tyler’s final decision.
“What sold me on Kentucky is their loyalty,” Tyler explained. “They have been following my basketball journey since 2017. My thoughts and feelings did not change because the staff that I have built a relationship with is still there.”
Set to play for Coach Kyra Elzy in 2022, Tyler is hoping to contribute in whatever way possible to help the Wildcats to success. Thanks to the experience she endured during her freshman year of high school, the point guard believes she is very prepared to do so.
“That learning experience was extremely helpful to me because that is exactly how it will be in college,” she noted. “I will have to get accustomed to different systems and styles of play at the college level.”
A strong defender, passer and finisher at the hoop who continues to emerge from the three-point line, Tyler should have a nice role right away in college. While the Wildcats’ success is important, she also hopes her time in Lexington, Kentucky will springboard her to a professional career someday.
Growing up, Tyler has idolized many professional players including Chennedy Carter, Sue Bird, Courtney Vandersloot, Sabrina Ionescu and Arike Ogunbowale. To get to that point will be very rewarding someday, but Tyler also realizes it will take a lot to get there.
“What it takes to get there is a strong work ethic, countless hours in the gym and being mentally and physically ready,” she added.
However, Tyler has already begun developing that strong work ethic, and with the girls high school basketball season on the horizon, she hopes to see it pay off once again. Already labeled as a four-star recruit, Tyler has hopes of becoming further recognized nationally, perhaps by winning state Gatorade Player of the Year or becoming a McDonald’s All-American.
“Even though I am a top player in Missouri, my goal is to be nationally known,” Tyler said. “The accolades are great, but there are no days off.”
By the end of the season, Tyler also hopes she can become a back-to-back state champ. After a tough start to her high school career, she could end up finishing as one of the best to ever play at Incarnate Word, and she hopes her incredible journey can inspire others.
“The legacy that I want to leave behind is, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
