The Durant girls basketball team is off to a great start this season, and junior forward Tamara Hanson is leading the way. She’s averaging a double-double (12.8 points, 10.7 rebounds) through the first month of the 2015-16 season and has been crucial to the Lady Cougars’ 5-1 start.
Durant’s off to a good start this season, and you’ve been playing well, yourself. What’s helped get you all to play well right away?
I think it’s our teamwork. Being together for so long as a team, we can play off of each other as friends.
How long have you played for Durant?
Actually, I transferred here last year, from New York. I’m from Long Island. I was here during basketball season; I just wasn’t that big of a presence, I guess you could say.
How different is it playing here than in New York? I know the boys hoops scene is huge up there, but I don’t know about the girls.
It’s a bit more aggressive here than it is in New York, and the competitiveness is a little bit different down here. Even though you always wanted to win in New York, in the South, it’s even more of, like, you really want to win. College sports is a bigger factor down here than in New York, so I feel like that adds on to it.
Do you know where you’d like to go to college yet?
At the moment, not really. I guess UConn would be that one dream school that any athlete would want to go to.
How long have you been playing basketball?
About four years.
What first brought you to it?
You could start playing sports in seventh grade, so it was just like, “Oh, well, basketball seems cool. I should probably try out.” That’s where it started.
What position did you start playing?
I started playing as a center but, this year, they moved me to power forward.
Do you prefer power forward or center?
I like both. I don’t feel like there’s any preference. In both roles, you still have to have the same common goals: you have to rebound, try to score and try to stop opposing scorers in the paint. As long as I’m on the court, and as long as I can produce, I’m fine.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
LeBron James. He has the body of a forward, but he can still do it all. He can set up the offense as a point guard, and he can play down low with the fives and fours. His versatility is what’s key.
What’s your favorite team?
New York Knicks. I started liking the Brooklyn Nets when they first moved there, but I had to stick with the Knicks. They’re the originals.
If you could play for any team, what would it be?
Minnesota Lynx. That’s where Maya Moore plays.
If you could meet anybody you’ve always looked up to, who would it be?
LeBron James, probably. We would play basketball.
Let’s say you make the pros one day, women’s basketball becomes popular, and you make $1 billion. What’s the first thing you buy?
A house for my mom, probably. You’ve got to pay back your mom.
Let’s say a little girl’s getting started in basketball, and she asks you for advice on being a good player. What do you tell her?
I’d tell her to keep trying, and not to give up on it, and to work hard. Hard work pays off.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Super speed. I’d want to be super fast.
Of all the goals you have this year, in sports or in the classroom, what’s at the top of your list?
Finishing with straight A’s
at least once through nine weeks.
Do you play any other sports?
Last year, I did track. I might do track again this year, but I’m also thinking of doing AAU basketball.