Homeschooled Hoopster

At one time, playing basketball didn't interest Hannah Terry. It wasn't until she was 12-years-old that Terry, a 5-foot-5 point guard, decided she wanted to play. Carving out a nice career for herself, many people probably haven't heard her name. But Terry is well-known in the world of homeschool basketball. Now considered a senior for the Northwest Arkansas Knights, Terry was named honorable mention All-American last year. Because of that tribute, she is once again a candidate for the All-American teams which will be voted on later this month. Those picked for first, second and third honors will play in the All-American games at the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships, March 18, in Springfield, Mo. "I want to play in that game," Terry said. "I didn't think I would get it last year. It seems like we waited forever to hear, but I was excited when I heard I got it." In addition to her candidacy as an All-American, Terry is also up for all-region honors. The Knights participate in the Region 3 tournament later this month. Then it's on to the national tournament March 16-21 as homeschool basketball teams are becoming more popular. Last year's championship totaled 304 teams from 35 states which included 3,000 players, 600 coaches and 6,000 fans in attendance at the championship in Oklahoma City. The Maravich Award winner, given to the top player, went to Taber Spani of Kansas City. She signed with Tennessee last November. Terry's mother and coach, Tammie, remembers when Hannah had no interest in basketball. Whenever her older brother, Nathan, had practice Hannah would watch practice and goof off. Finally, all of that time around the court got into her system. When Hannah first started playing, the Knights didn't have a junior high program so she had to play with the varsity. "The first year and a half I sat on the bench," Hannah said. "When I did play it was good competition, and I liked it." Tammie didn't start coaching until 2004. The coach before her, Butch Davidson, saw Hannah's potential, and apparently she is living up to it. Although she doesn't like to talk about her, Tammie knows Hannah has special skills. "On the floor, I'm her coach and probably harder on her than most of the others," Tammie said. "I try not to be her mother. I expect more from her, and occasionally we butt heads. Basically, though she is my team leader and leading scorer." For her All-American nomination last year, videos, statistics and information on Hannah had to be sent in to the national office. One of the pieces was a letter from assistant coach Gary Fulton. In that letter, Fulton said that Hannah is one of those players you don't want to take out of the game. He added when she is on the court, the Knights' level of play increases. She is the go-to-player both when a basket is needed or a defensive stop. "When she is on the floor, things happen," Tammie said. "She is averaging four to five three-pointers a game and is the drive of the team." Practicing at All-Star Sports Arena and playing games there and at Fayetteville Christian, the Knights play teams from Oklahoma, Missouri, Fort Smith and Little Rock.