Towner Hale is a senior and a varsity basketball player. Below, R&F asks him what he thinks of the team.
Q: Why did you start playing basketball?
A: When my dad coached in Hawaii, I used to always go to his high school games. Like the Marshall team, he coached a school that was sort of an underdog team but made a run in the state playoffs. The school spirit was amazing, and it really encouraged me to play basketball because I had such a fun time watching my dad coach.
Q: Do you like having your dad coach the team? Why or why not?
I feel like my dad, as well as the other coaches, have really contributed towards developing my game and making me a better basketball player. There will always be people who try to hold it against me for having him as my coach, but I’m a much stronger person today because of it.
Q: What do you think you bring to the table for the team?
A: My experience. I was on a team last year that won the liberty district championship and as a sophomore was on a team that placed in district standings. I’ve learned that winners don’t quit or give up when games don’t go our way, and they don’t give excuses. I love my team and will stick by them no matter what.