THE LAST RIDE: Hightower's Franklin Content With Life After Hoops
A’LEAH FRANKLIN WANTS HER SENIOR SEASON AT HIGHTOWER TO BE ONE TO REMEMBER. IT’LL BE HER LAST PLAYING BASKETBALL.
“It being my final season really motivates me,” said Franklin, a defensive-mind combo guard. “I got a taste of going to State my freshman year and what a rush it was. All the girls on that team wanted to win. Every time we came to practice, we worked and were on a mission. The group of girls we have now are just as hungry and determined.”
Hightower finished the regular season 23-8 overall and 14-2, good for a second place finish in district. Franklin is savoring her final days as a hooper.
“It’d be a great time to end it now,” Franklin said. “I love the game and will always love the game, but I know college is a different kind of commitment.”
Franklin would like to stay involved with basketball in some way after high school. She has had talks with Hightower coach Jasmine Brewer about coaching and what it will take.
“I want to coach or, if that doesn’t work out, go into nursing,” Franklin said. “I want to go to a college where girls basketball is big, and I can work my way up through the program.”
VYPE talked more with Franklin.
VYPE: What was different about this year’s Hightower team than years past?
FRANKLIN: Me and my team have had a chance to bond, not only on the court but off the court. You can tell by watching us play. We enjoy playing with each other and it’s a lot of fun. We went through so much last year, with not making the playoffs, and we’re trying to make a statement this year.
VYPE: You have a passion for playing defense. Where did that come from?
FRANKLIN: I wasn’t really good at offense at first, but I learned that good defense allows the offense to come to you. Once I started to grasp that, offense became way easier. I’m good at reading the opponent and knowing how to play them. I’m a slower guard, so I make up for that with being smart and positioning, knowing my opponents’ weaknesses.
VYPE: How do you feel you were a better player this year?
FRANKLIN: Me and my coach have talked a lot about not letting the game get to me. Not letting emotions take over. This year, I’ve done better with not getting mad over one mistake and just playing the game.