Sports Spotlight: Talia Kemp, CFCA girls basketball

Despite only being a freshman on the CFCA girls basketball team, Talia Kemp is already proving to be a pivotal asset to head coach Blessing Freeman’s squad. Kemp plays at the guard position — most times she plays the 2 — and hopes to eventually play at the collegiate level.
 

How did you first get into basketball?

I’ve been playing basketball since I was about 8 years old. I had an uncle (who) used to play basketball. I used to always go to his games, and I used to want to be like him, so I just started playing basketball and picked it up off of him.
 

What was it that kept you in the game for so long?

I just love the game — it’s my passion, and I just have so much fun playing it.
 

What would you say is the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself since you first started?

Being a team player, learning how to talk more and shooting and stuff like that — but mostly being a team player.
 

What’s your first year been like on the varsity team?

It’s been very challenging but fun at the same time — it’s been a little bit of everything.
 

Did you have any goals in mind for the team coming into this first season?

At my school, there are no banners — the girls have never won a championship or anything, so it’s all boys. That’s my goal this year — to put a banner in the school gym.
 

Do you have any extra goals you’d like to achieve or see before the season ends?

Just to give it my all, and make sure everybody on my team gets at least a point before the season ends.
 

Was there anything you were personally hoping to work on this season?

I want to get better at a few things, like talking more on the court — I feel like I don’t talk a lot. I’m a very quiet and laid-back person, so (probably) talking more.
 

What is the hardest part about playing at the guard position?

The challenge is trying to get everybody where they’re supposed to be — trying to run the court more since I’m so quiet. I’ve got to run the court when I play point guard. 
 

The regular season is almost over, but how has the season been so far?

I feel like it’s been going great — going better than I expected.
 

Do you have a highlight from your first year playing at CFCA?

It was like last game, I was shooting a lot, and I kept missing. Then I dribbled down the court and shot from the volleyball line and my coach, she turned her head because she didn’t want me to shoot it, and then she saw it go in.
 

How do you get through — and past — a tough game where you don’t shoot well or struggle?

When I have games like that, I just pass the ball more and try to get my teammates more involved, (because) I’m not on my game. It has to be someone on my team who’s on it who will make those shots that I’m not (making).