By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
Name: Nia Weathersby
School: Green Bay East
Parent: January Wright
Activity: Girls’ basketball
Twitter: @weathersbynia
Nia Weathersby is a senior on the Green Bay East girls’ basketball team.
She likes to swim and have get-togethers in the summer.
Weathersby plans to attend college to become a respiratory therapist or study something in the culinary arts because she loves to cook.
What are your goals for this season?
“To leave the court with a win alongside the family I gained over the last four years.”
How difficult is it to stay mentally strong through the tough times?
“It takes lots of self pep talks and personal goals. I have the mentality, ‘If you let something get to you, it will overpower you.’ I try to maneuver the fear into something positive.”
Talk about being the starting center.
“I love it. During games, I help my teammates by being a bigger player on the floor. I clear paths to the basket and apply more strength down low to make sure all the other players can get to the basketball.”
How hard is it to establish a position in the post knowing you have a height advantage to score?
“My height is an advantage, but it wouldn’t be anything if I didn’t have the right form. I make sure I have a little muscle to hold back anyone in the post.”
What’s the most memorable book you’ve read?
“’The Hate U Give.’ The book brings much interest to me because I can relate to it. Not only did it send a powerful message, but it gave me great motivation to not keep my mouth closed about justice within the black community.”
What foreign language would you like to learn?
“French because it’s a beautiful language.”
If you could be somebody for a day, who would it be?
“Bill Gates. I’d like him to politely transfer $5 million into my bank account because he would be generous to do so.”
If you could conduct any science experiment in class, what would it be?
“Liquid firecrackers.”
What five words describe you?
“Energetic, creative, engaged, open-minded, witty.”
What other sports could you have excelled in?
“Volleyball or track and field.”
What subject gives you the most frustration?
“Math. Either I get the answer right and think I’m the Einstein of the class or I get the answer wrong and want to throw the entire course away. I often have to motivate myself by finding my own methods into understanding or making the curriculum fun.”
What’s your favorite picture saved on your phone?
“My basketball team and I took a group picture for the seniors this previous year. It showed how happy we were together and how appreciative we were playing with one another.”
Talk about coach Dwight Hancock.
“When Dwight started coaching at East, he was the type of guy to yell ‘on the line.’ He wasn’t afraid to say what was on his mind.”
Cats or dogs?
“Dogs.”
If you had one do-over, what would it be?
“My basketball experience. I would have started earlier when I was a kid. It would have opened up new connections and gave me more of an advantage.”
What are three places you’d like to visit?
“Honolulu, Victoria Falls (Africa), Los Angeles.”
Sledding or skiing?
“Sledding.”
Favorites
Food: Everything
Color: All colors
Television show: “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events”