Hoosier provided a steadier hand
Deshiya Hoosier didn’t want to settle for having one good year for the Hawkins Middle School girls basketball program.
The eighth-grade point guard wanted to be better.
Hoosier led the Lady Commandos to a 15-6 record and a second-place in the Sumner County Conference West Division, but Hawkins was declared tournament co-champions – along with Hunter – after the championship game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The Lady Commando season ended with a 55-42 loss at Rossview in a Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association (TMSAA) sub-sectional contest.
Hoosier averaged 15.2 points per game over five postseason games.
As a result of her play, Hoosier has been named the Sumner County Girls Middle School Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Hoosier recently discussed the season, her future plans and a variety of other subjects. Her feedback is as follows …
You’ve won this award for the second consecutive year. What did you work on the most in your game to improve from last year?
My ball-handling mostly. I needed to get better with the way I dribble the ball down the court.
What was your best game this year?
It was probably the game at Hunter, the one that we lost by three (a 44-41 loss on Nov. 9).
Hawkins ended up being conference co-champions with Hunter because the championship game was canceled due to bad weather. Was that disappointing, not being able to play for the title?
It really was, because we were ready to play .. but then we didn’t get to.
Do you believe the Lady Commandos were better this year than last year, and why?
I think the teams were about the same, but we had more speed this year than we did last year.
How tough was the loss at Rossview that ended your season?
It was kind of tough, but we played really hard. I was proud of the way we played.
Do you and your brother (Hendersonville High sophomore Dyilin Hoosier) talk about basketball a lot?
We usually talk about the games we watch on TV. Sometimes, we argue who’s better at ball-handling and shooting. We practice with each other all the time.
What was different about this season than last year?
I think I improved more this year, since last year was my first year of middle-school basketball.
What are your plans for high school, and what do you feel you need to work the most on before high school?
I’d like to play at Hendersonville. I’d like to improve my ball-handling and my shooting too.
What is your favorite part of playing middle-school basketball?
I like how encouraging we are to each other.
What is your favorite subject to study?
Math. I guess I’m better at it than I am at other subjects.
What has it been like playing for coach Elyse Leach?
It’s pretty great. She’s a great coach to have.
Hawkins head coach Elyse Leach’s thoughts on Hoosier …
Deshiya is truly remarkable both on and off the court. She was a tremendous leader for our team this year. She was a leader on our team last year as well, but she really learned to be more vocal this year, which is so crucial as an eighth-grade point guard. Her ability to see and read defenses so well is very impressive. She is incredibly smart, and that makes her an even bigger threat to opponents. We faced teams all year long who double or even triple-teamed her, and yet, she continued to get good, open looks at the basket. On that same note, she knows exactly when to draw defenders in and then make them pay by dishing the ball to one of her teammates. Her defense is stellar. Her work ethic is impeccable, and she has unwavering poise and composure of someone well beyond her years. Anyone who has watched her play knows she is the real deal. However, I think one of my favorite things about Shiya is watching her reactions when her teammates do well. She is by far one of the most selfless individuals I know. She celebrates their successes more than she celebrates her own, and to have such a quality in your leader is amazing because it makes everything about the team. You win together. You lose together, and you grow together. Shiya embodies that mentality, and I firmly believe it will take her far in life. My assistant coaches and I are so very proud of her, her accomplishments thus far and all those that are to come in the future.
All-County Girls Team
Paige Akins, Westmoreland
Keonna Chumbly, Hunter
Mia Dean, Hunter
Taylor Elder, Portland West
Faith Eubank, Station Camp
Ty Holt, Station Camp
Jalie Joyner, Rucker-Stewart
Janaeya Mayes, Hawkins
Baylee Miller, White House
Kayla Minchey, Ellis
Avery Morris, Westmoreland
Sami Parker, Portland East
Mikhaila Sloss, Shafer
Jana Claire Swafford, Hunter
Jo’Neca Talley, Rucker-Stewart
Darryan Walker, Knox Doss