Sag: What is your most memorable experience in sports?

GO:  I remember the first time I scored in a game. I made a layup and my mom was there. I was so happy I started jumping up and down on the court looking at her. The whole basketball team just kept running. I was so happy. It was the best day of my life.

Sag: How did you first get into basketball?

GO: My dad’s whole family plays basketball, and so at some point in our lives, most of us have played. I began playing basketball in a house league at a community center when I was about 7 or 8 years old.

Sag: How has basketball influenced who you are today?

GO: It’s helped me change my attitude and how I work in school. Playing basketball has made me more mindful of other people because life is about teamwork. Basketball has made me think about people in my classes and people who I work with.

Sag: What are your plans after high school? What college would you most like to attend?

GO: I want to pursue nursing in college. My number one school is the University of Rhode Island.

Sag: What skills from basketball do you need in the real world?

GO: Perseverance. You need to be able to persevere through anything, especially with the economy now. It’s not that easy to get a job. In basketball, if you’re losing, you have to keep playing because the game doesn’t end until the buzzer goes off.

Sag: What is something significant you’ve learned from basketball?

GO: Responsibility. When you’re on a team, you have to be really responsible, whether you’re a captain or not. It’s not just about yourself, it’s about everybody, and when you do something like not going to practice, it affects everyone on the team.

Tasoula Burk can be contacted at [email protected].