Freshman lifts Raiders' fortunes

When 9-year-old Nadia Fingall made her first basketball team, she spent a lot of time in front of the mirror.

“I didn’t take off that uniform,” she said five years later with a smile lighting her face. Nadia’s dad, Andrew Fingall, said his oldest child “liked the uniform more than she liked actually playing the game.”

(Photo: Nadia Fingall works against her dad, Andrew Fingall.)

The 6-foot, 2-inch Navarre High School freshman has learned to love the game. She’s averaging about 15 points, 15 rebounds and 7 blocks a game, according to Lady Raiders coach Greg Boozer, and recorded her first-ever triple-double – 21 points, 13 rebounds and 11 blocked shots – Friday against Tate.

“It’s a lot of fun (coaching Nadia),” Boozer said. “That kind of talent just doesn’t drop into the gym in Navarre, Florida. I’ve always dreamed, with military families moving in and moving out, it might happen, but this is the first time.

“We’ve had a collection of great kids,” he added, “but Nadia is certainly the best basketball prospect who has ever come through here, male or female."

For the complete story, see the Jan. 17 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.