By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent

Name             Hayden Kupsh

Sport              Girls Basketball

Twitter          @hayden_kupsh

What is it like to be a leader on the Ashwaubenon basketball team? “It’s really fun being a leader for this team. We all get along so well and it’s cool knowing that your team and best friends look up to you. On some occasions, it becomes a little more difficult because we are all so tight-knit; we aren’t the best at holding each other accountable. It´s tough being in a position where you need to step up and do that from time to time.”

What is your most embarrassing moment ever in basketball? “In 8th grade, we were playing in the championship game at the Oconto Falls tournament and we were up by three points. I decided to foul a player on the opposing team on a half-court shot at the buzzer. My team wasn’t completely enthused by that, but fortunately she ended up missing her free throws and we won the game.”

How many years have you been involved in basketball? “I’ve been going to basketball camps since I was in kindergarten and started playing on an actual team when I was in second grade.” 

What is your most memorable moment in basketball?  “My most memorable moment was probably just my entire freshman season. I was on JV2 with a lot of my friends, and we had such a fun time at practices and games. We had amazing team chemistry and I was able to play some of the best basketball I’ve ever played. While I was on that team, our entire program went to a holiday tournament in Lake Geneva and even though JV2 didn´t play in the tournament, we all went along and had fun. One night, there was only enough food ordered for Varsity and JV. So, our team walked from the hotel to Culver´s with two of our coaches and acted like we were all their children, and they went along with it. That entire season was nothing less than memorable.”

What’s the hardest part about basketball?  “The hardest part is definitely being mentally tough. It’s pretty difficult getting past that barrier during games when you’re doubting yourself. I run into this a lot throughout the season, but it´s really helpful having a team that supports and encourages me to do my best.”

If you could be somebody for a day, who would it be?  “It´d be fun to be Ellen DeGeneres for a day because most of what she does makes people happy. I think it´d be awesome to have someone´s dream come true, and I feel like that´s Ellen´s goal a lot of the time.”

What are your college aspirations? “I plan on attending a 2-year college and then hopefully transfer to UW-La Crosse to pursue a degree that has to do with business and marketing.”

What would your dream job be once you graduate? “I want to be involved in sports marketing and I think it´d be really neat to get a job with a professional team.”

What are your hobbies? “Outside of basketball, I spend a lot of time baking as well as spending time with my friends and teammates.”

What is your favorite sporting event ever attended? “During my freshman year, my friends and I went to watch a regional basketball game with Pulaski vs. Southwest. Natisha Heideman hit the game winning half-court shot for Southwest to advance to sectionals. It was super fun because the crowd went crazy when the shot banked in.”

What is your favorite type of music? “I listen to a wide variety of music, but nothing beats the old school Hannah Montana in the car with my friends.”

What is your favorite thing to do on your phone? “I spend a lot of time on Snapchat and Twitter.”

What three words describe you? “Positive, caring, picky”

What is your favorite trip ever taken? “This past June I went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii. I had the chance to do a ton of sightseeing which was a blast.”

Favorites:

Food: 

Chicken Strips

Subject:

English

TV Show: 

One Tree Hill

Athlete: 

Jordy Nelson

Board Game: 

Monopoly

Candy: 

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Ice Cream: 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Holiday: 

Christmas

Season: 

Summer

Comments on Hayden Kupsh: “Hayden has become a complete player and constant inside/outside threat in her three years on the varsity team,” said Nicky VanLaanen, Ashwaubenon Jaguar Basketball Coach. “She is also one of our best defenders who is able to guard a big or shooting guard. Her biggest strength is her ability to stretch the floor in transition and fuel our fast break.”