Roddy Hairston: HTRW Player Spotlight

Roddy Hairston is a 16 year old junior at Riverside High School. He has been recognized for this months player spotlight because of his basketball development and hard work. Keep reading to get to know a little more about Roddy and his on-court and off-court aspirations! 

HTRW: Where are you looking to go to college? Also, do you plan to continue to play basketball?
Roddy: I feel as if I am a great student. I have a passion for basketball and soccer. As a junior, I have aspirations to go to college and major in Business Marketing while being a collegiate athlete. I believe that attaining a degree in Business Marketing will open up many doors for me. 

HTRW: What are your basketball accomplishments to date, and your favorite aspects of the game?
Roddy: I've played organized basketball since I was in third grade and have received multiple awards over the years. My biggest basketball accomplishment to date was placing 2nd at the USBA Nationals. I love playing the point guard position. I have the ability to give the ball to my teammates in their optimal scoring position along with score the ball whenever I see an opening. Defense is also a passion of mine. I understand that the more stops on defense I get, the more I will tire the other team out, which makes it easier for my team to score and ultimately win. 

HTRW: What are your academic accomplishments to date, and your favorite things about school?
Roddy: My biggest academic accomplishment is consistently being a great student. I am an "A" student so each day I show up striving to be the best student I can be. If I keep my goals in mind, more opportunities will open up. 

HTRW: What drives you on a personal level and in basketball?
Roddy: Getting into the college of my choice drives me on a personal level. I also want to play competitive basketball at the next level so I understand that I have work extremely hard at both. When I think about the sacrifices I will have to make, I keep my eye on the prize. That helps me stay focused.

HTRW: What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know?
Roddy: I am actually a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Most people have no idea but if they read this, now they will!

HTRW: What is your funniest Coach K moment?
Roddy: I love coach K's style of coaching. He's very easy going and understand the game of basketball. The funniest, yet most helpful thing he does is brings his coaching to life with his analogies. It's easy for everyone to understand and also lightens the mood during an intense training session. 

HTRW: Roddy, it has been a pleasure spotlighting you. There is no doubt that you will be a huge success, as you already are. Keep up the great work in school because it does pay off exponentially in the long run. Keep working hard on the basketball court and on the soccer field because the lessons you learn in athletics will be lessons you carry for the rest of your life. We cannot wait to keep up with your development and we are just happy to watch you grow and mature. 

For all other HTRW news makes sure you go to www.hoopstherightway.com!

Player Spotlight: Emily Thompson

Emily Thompson is a 16 year old junior at Loudoun Valley High School (LVHS). Throughout her time at HTRW, she has shown leadership and tenacity like no other. Her accomplishments speak to her work ethic and desire to go above and beyond on and off the court.

HTRW: Where are you looking to go to college? Also, do you plan to continue to play basketball?
Emily: I would like to play basketball in college.  I have visited many colleges during the past two years and attended many team camps, but I have not made my decision on where I want to play in college. I would like to study Elementary education. 

HTRW: What are your basketball accomplishments to date, and your favorite aspects of the game?
Emily: I made Varsity at Loudoun Valley High School as a freshman and started every game. 

Last year (my sophomore year),  I ended the season in 4th position in the Washington Post AllMetSports Basketball Leaders for Free Throw Percentage with 86.8%.

In 2014, I led my team in points per game, assists, and Free Throws made. Read Article

Last year I was named to first team All-Conference and first team All-Region and second team All-State.  I was also named to the Viva All-Loudoun first Team.

I was named as a bubble player to watch my junior year in the Washington Post in the Preseason All-Met Watch: Girls’ basketball. Read Article

I was named as a top player in The Washington Post AllMetSports Basketball preview: Virginia Conference 28 girls. Read Article
 
I am 11^th in Free Throw Percentage at 81.0% this year for the basketball leaders for the Washington area. Read Article

Featured in an article in Washington Post. Read Article

HTRW: What are your academic accomplishments to date, and your favorite things about school?
Emily: I am in the National Honor Society at Loudoun Valley.  I am an honor roll student. I was named Extraordinary Viking of the month for January.  I have a 4.0 grade point average.  My favorite thing about school is history.

HTRW: What drives you on a personal level and in basketball?
Emily: The thing that drives me most in basketball and on a personal level is I want be the best I can be in everything.  I practice hard, play hard, study hard and make sure I am doing everything I can to do and to be the best player.  If it means staying after practice or coming in early to school to find a teacher, I try to be the best in what I am doing. 

HTRW: What are your basketball goals and non-basketball related goals?
Emily: My basketball goals are to finish playing my high school career at LVHS and continue to break records at my school.  So far, I have broken two records, three pointers in a game and consecutive three throws made in a game. I would like to play in college and get a degree in education and teach elementary school.  I would also like to coach girls basketball in the future.

HTRW: What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know?
Emily: Even though I have younger siblings, I love working and talking to younger kids.  When young kids come to games, I always go up and talk to them and high five them.  When I volunteer at summer camps, I always try to make a connection with the kids.  If I see them later, I walk up and ask them about their basketball games. I want them to love basketball as much as I do!

HTRW: What is your funniest Coach K moment?
Emily:The funniest Coach K moment would have to be when I first started training with Coach K.  He calls me Pinkie because when I use to play baseball I use to wear a pink helmet so none of the boys would take it.  Someone I use to play baseball with introduced me to Coach K. He knew I could shoot so he made me workout with boys.  We were playing three on three and no boy would guard me close so I kept making outside shots.  After three times down the court making my shots, he stopped the game and said to the boys, "Anyone want to guard Pinkie at all?"  He was laughing the whole time.

HTRW: Emily, it has been a pleasure spotlighting you and you continue to make HTRW proud on and off the court. Your dedication in school is extremely inspiring and we hope that you share the importance of good grades to the youth that you work with. You have such a bright future ahead of you in all aspects of life and we know you will continue to do great things!

Player Spotlight: Michael Mendicino

Michael Mendicino is a 16 year old junior at Seton School, a Catholic High School in Manassas, Virginia. He is a current HTRW player who shows leadership and focus each and everyday. Michael is not only a great basketball player, but a phenomenal student with big dreams. When Michael is not working on his game he enjoys spending time with his friends and family and playing video games. 

HTRW: Where are you looking to go to college? Also, do you plan to continue to play basketball?
Michael: As of right now, I have just started looking at colleges and do not yet know where I will go. I am interested in possibly becoming a lawyer or an engineer. I definitely want to play basketball at the next level and am looking for a school where I can both get a good education and continue playing basketball. 

HTRW: What are your basketball accomplishments to date, and your favorite aspects of the game?
Michael: I am playing varsity basketball for the first time this year. I am the starting point guard, and I lead the team in assists per game. I also am the team’s second leading scorer. One of my favorite aspect of basketball is running in transition. I love leading the fast break, and scoring before the other team can cross half court. I like using my handle to set up a drive to the bucket or to create space for a quick pull-up jump shot. I also really enjoy working out in the off-season and participating in AAU/Club tournaments with Coach Ken.

HTRW: What are your academic accomplishments to date, and your favorite things about school?
Michael: I have an overall grade point average of an A- in high school. My favorite class in school is history. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and getting shots up at lunch.

HTRW: What drives you on a personal level and in basketball?
Michael: From a personal standpoint, my love for God and my relationship with my family constantly push me to become a better person daily. These things are what add real meaning to my life. As far as basketball is concerned, my drive to become a better player comes from knowing that there is always someone else working to become better at the game. I can never be lazy or complacent or I risk getting left behind.

HTRW: What are your basketball goals and non-basketball related goals?
Michael: My basketball goals are to lead Seton School to its first DAC championship in 5 years. Next year, I am hoping to make 1st team All-Conference. After high school, I am hoping that my hard work will enable me to play basketball at any collegiate level. My non-basketball goals are to either work with my dad someday at his law firm or become a successful engineer.

HTRW: What is an interesting fact about yourself that most people would not know?
Michael: When I was 5 years old, I nearly drowned at the Reston YMCA in swim class. I took off my float and sunk to the bottom of the pool. I was nearly out of breath and praying for help when my swim instructor turned around and saved me. 

HTRW: What is your funniest Coach K moment?
Michael: There are many funny moments with Coach Ken. It is hard to pick a favorite. However, if I have to select one, it is when he gets angry after a mistake, calls me to the sideline during a game, points to his head and says, “Show me some sense!”

HTRW: Michael, it has been a pleasure spotlighting you and you continue to make HTRW proud on and off the court. Keep up the great work because you are creating a strong foundation for yourself to build on. The best is yet to come!