What Palm Beach Gardens star Kyana Poitier thinks of college hoops after end of varsity career

PALM BEACH GARDENS − One of Palm Beach County's most underrated and impressive high school careers in recent years has finally come to a close.

Palm Beach Gardens senior and prolific rebounder Kyana Poitier played her last varsity game on Monday, her journey ending in Class 7A region semifinals against Oak Ridge.

It was the second year in a row that the Gators' season ended at the forces of the Pioneers, which advance to Thursday's region final game against defending state champion Dr. Phillips with the 45-38 victory.

"Definitely one of the best kids I've ever seen come through any program I've ever been a part of," Gardens head coach Jessica Salera said. "Leadership, coachability... things you can't coach. You either have it or you don't."

Poitier finished her time at Gardens with 866 points, scoring 413 in 2024 and averaging 18.0 points per game. Through 69 games over four years, three as a starter, she totaled 937 rebounds, and wrapped up this season ranked No. 7 in Florida with an average 15.5 rebounds per game.

She also ranked 8th in the state with 19 double-doubles this winter.

Poitier steps up for short-staffed Gardens team

Clinching back-to-back district championships was nice, but Poitier's favorite memory of her high school experience thus far was getting to region semifinals and mounting a 22-4 record against the odds.

"Through my four years playing for this program, our numbers have continued to decline," Poitier said. "We only had eight girls this season, so I had to step up, be a leader, try to work with what we have and use the skills we have to our ability and get through it."

"Knowing people doubt us only having eight players, just proving them wrong and reaching round two of regions − most of my favorite memories are enjoying my time off the court with the ladies and winning almost our whole season. Just seeing the joy on our faces."

How it happened

"They have a lot to be proud of and to hold their head up for. It just didn't go our way today," Salera said of the Gators.

While the three-day break after the first-round of playoffs wore on teams, the Pioneers won packing the lane and limiting Gardens to work around the arc, barring Poitier to an uncharacteristic stat line of six points, 13 rebounds, and two steals.

As vicious as Poitier was in her pursuit of keeping possession for the Gators, seeing Gardens to a 31-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter, it seemed like the passionate performance would end in tears, whether in victory or defeat.

"A lot is going through your mind knowing you have to leave everything on the court because it's win-or-go home," Poitier said.

But there on the sideline after the buzzer and the late foul trouble saw free throws reclaim the lead for Oak Ridge in the final seconds was Poitier, poised as could be.

Especially considering she'd taken the court with some of her closest friends and teammates like fellow senior Alicia Russell for the last time.

"It's been a rollercoaster, our ups and downs playing with other teammates," Poitier said of Russell.

"Our bond is very strong and I hope to see her play in the future and keep that friendship going into our freshman year of college."

The next chapter for Poitier and the Gators

The last time − for now − at least. As bittersweet as Monday was, the ending marked a new beginning for Poitier, now bound for the next level.

She has offers from the University of Ft. Lauderdale, Elgin Community College in Illinois, and Palm Beach State College, and potentially more, but Poitier teased that she knows where home is.

Poitier, whose older sister, Kyandra, transferred from Palm Beach State to Florida Tech ahead of this season, plans on leaving Palm Beach County hoops fans curious about her next destination until she announces it when signing her Letter of Intent later this spring.

Face painted with her classic shy smile, Poitier said, "I'm looking forward to college."

Poitier is certainly excited about a future beyond the walls of the gym at Palm Beach Gardens High. Yet, she's already hyped to returning to her alma mater because of the talent that'll be carrying on the program's new culture.

"She has a bright future ahead of her. She is strong only being a sophomore. With development, she'll really get there her senior year," Poitier said, also shouting out sharp-shooting junior point guards Azariah Marrero and Brandi Brown.

Whyte, nearing Poitier's 6-foot-stature as a sophomore, came second in the book behind the senior with an average 7.6 rebounds per game and averaged 9.9 points through 26 appearances this season.

On Thursday, she led the Gators with 14 points and had 12 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the year.

"I think a lot of it is just her realizing how good she can be. That comes with experience," Salera said of Whyte. "As she continues to grow and get better, that's going to increase her confidence, and it's the same thing we've seen with the seniors we had this year. It's been a process, and you've just got to trust the process."

Hopeful that seasons like this winter will keep returning Gators "hungry," Salera wants players to relish in their accomplishments without settling or getting comfortable.

"You've got to live and learn," Salera said.

"Thankfully, these young girls have been around her [Poitier] long enough that hopefully they learned something from her and they'll bring that impact back for us next year."

Emilee Smarr is a sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Gardens basketball star Kyana Poitier discusses college plans