Posted: Feb 09, 2020
Hannah Malek has been part of the basketball program for the last four years, serving as the team manager and lead statistician for the varsity team the last two seasons. She played and managed on the JV and freshman teams her first two seasons. She is the captain of the competitive Latin Certamen team. She is the mythology expert for the team. She will dress tonight wearing No. 20.
Take me back to freshman year Hannah. How glad are you that you got involved in the basketball program?
"Since the fifth grade I have loved basketball and in the seventh grade my coach got me to try out for the Rebels team. I decided to go to St. Francis to continue with the program I found there. Over summer season, I was told I was going to be cut because of some physical disability issues. It was not they didn't want to take me. I was not going to be up for playing basketball and my coach cried when she had to tell me that. I asked if I could be the manager and half way thru I was given a jersey. I have managed for all four years at St. Francis and it was one of the most formative experiences of my life."
What do you love about being part of the team and serving as the manager?
"I love being able to help the team. I have known some of these girls since the seventh grade and some I've met along the way. Basketball is my favorite sport. I love anything about being around a basketball court whether I am watching, managing, playing or get to coach. Any opportunity is amazing and it is even better to work with a great team."
Do you have a favorite moment?
"My favorite moment was either when I got my varsity letter or my freshman jersey. Both were really amazing experiences for me."
You have a skill for doing the stats on the sideline. What is fun about it and keeping track of everything?
"It is tough but it is also rewarding because I get to help the team in a way that I wouldn't be able to if I was playing. I adore numbers, keep track of numbers and know when one of our girls is having an off shooting night not because of her numbers but how her feet are going. I get to know the players on such a deep level. It is not just the numbers when I am watching even though I am pretty good at the numbers."
What are your plans for next year?
"My plans are attending a liberal arts college on the West coast. Maybe Loyola Marymount, I do not know yet. If I can be part of their basketball program, I'd love to do that. All the teams I am considering have basketball teams. Maybe I'll just go to the games. That would be great. I am going to be a creative writing major."
What do the fellow seniors mean to you?
"It is like a basketball family. We may not all eat lunch together or hang out but I'll have their back when they need it and they will have my back when I need it. They have for thru some really hard times in the past years."
If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, where would you live: Harry Potter.
What is your Greatest Achievement: Earning my varsity letter.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be: Telekinesis.
If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future: Future.
What's the concert you want to see: Of Monsters and Men.
What teacher has inspired you the most: Coach Heather.
Favorite Holiday: Christmas.
Favorite Dinner: Chicken Tikka Masala.
Favorite Basketball Player: Steph Curry/Brianna Stewart.
Hero: My Mom.
Bucket List: Write a Book.
