Jeremy Coleman oversees Sports Information and Social Media at Putnam City High School. He is a 2007 graduate of Putnam City.

In the locker room following an 0-3 showing at a tournament earlier this year, Lady Pirate captain Paishintz Booker looked at her teammates and pleaded, “Stick with me, don’t quit, we will get through this and we will get better together.” 

The words weren’t hollow. 

During Booker’s career, the Lady Pirates had gone from single-digit wins her freshman and sophomore years to 10 wins her junior year. The anticipation and expectations were higher going into this season. However, by the midway point of the season, the Lady Pirates were struggling to find the same rhythm they had shown the year prior. For a lot of folks, it would have been easy to throw in the towel and count it as another lackluster season for Lady Pirate basketball.

But not Paishintz Booker. 

By the time it was all said and done, Booker helped lead the Lady Pirates to a regional runner-up and secure a spot in the area tournament for the first time in over a decade. Their run fell just two games shy of a ticket to the state tournament.

Once again, The Captain was true to her word. 

After their season-ending loss in the area tournament, Booker confidently, through tears, encouraged her teammates one more time. As the room sat somber, Booker looked up from her seat and said, “I asked y’all to stick with me, and you did. We went through a lot, but I would do it all over again with y’all.”

While not the way Hollywood would write the story, it seemed to be the fitting ending to an impressive career. Booker once again showed her uncanny leadership and ability to press her teammates forward. Over her four years, Booker has been the embodiment of the Pirate Spirit. She has been involved with several clubs and organizations, has maintained a high GPA, and been a stellar citizen on the floor and in the classroom. Paishintz Booker currently holds three (3) Division-II offers to play collegiately but remains unsigned. 

While the Pirates will miss the leadership of their 2-year captain, the program is on a better foundation thanks to Booker and fellow seniors Kayla Hill, Jermiah Robinson, Tionna Johnson, and Destinee Hunt. Their hard work, loyalty, and dedication have helped begin a new culture that makes the future for Putnam City Women’s Basketball bright.