Georgia Tech guard Aaliyah Whiteside is the ACC’s top scorer and has provided leadership for the Yellow Jackets’ 10-3 start, but one of her biggest contributions thus far may have been inhaling shellfish-tinged smoke.
An allergic reaction to shellfish suffered at a hibachi restaurant the night before the Jackets played Alabama on Dec. 18 – she didn’t eat any, but was just at the table as it was grilled – made it difficult for Whiteside to breathe. Limited physically, she scored eight points with no rebounds. Off the bench, guard Ciani Cryor and guard Antonia Peresson jumped into the void with 17 points each to lead all scorers as the Jackets pulled together for a 70-58 win over the Crimson Tide.