Peoples Church hosts hundreds of elementary students each year in Little Hoopsters. However, this program sparked a “life-long passion” for one 5-year old girl.

?The only thing I remember from Little Hoopsters is that Taylor (Brouwer, ?09, on boys’ varsity basketball),? Hensley said, ?and I were on a team and we beat everyone else.?

Point guard Larissa Hensley, ’09, placed within the top five in the SWSL in six out of seven possible categories. She is the overall leader for steals and assists. In addition, she is the No. 3 position in scoring and rebounds; also, No.5 in 3FGs and blocks.

?I ask myself everyday why I keep playing this sport,? Hensley said. ?I guess I just love everything about it. I love the relationships it builds and the fact that you don?t have to depend on just yourself, but on everyone equally.?

In the offseason, Hensley trains and lifts weights to get a jump on the next season.

?I practice a lot with my teammates so I can get better for the next year,? Hensley said. ?I don?t think I want to go pro, but I absolutely want to play in college.?

Head coach Josh Tosland has coached Hensley since her freshman year on varsity and believes she maintains the talent and commitment to play college ball.

?Larissa works perfectly with the team,? Tosland said. ?She makes everybody better. Her best strength would be her passing and her ability to see the floor.?

Hensley’s experience draws admiration from her teammates.

?I love having Larissa as a teammate and I look up to her very much,? Ashlyn White, ?11. ?She always encourages us in every circumstance. We hang out at each other?s house before games and just mess around. Everybody thinks she is really shy but once you get to know her, she isn?t at all.?

Despite her third year on the varsity team, a freshman memory seems to plague Hensley.

?My freshman year, Katie (White, ’09) and I were the only freshmen on the team,? Hensley said, ?so we were both really shy. One day we were at someone?s house playing charades and I got the word ?pose?. I didn?t know exactly what to do so I just started spastically acting out random poses. It was really embarrassing and I still haven?t lived it down.?

Now every time the current time gathers to play charades, Tosland tries and rigs the game so Hensley would get the word “pose”, just to see what her reaction.

When Hensley is not playing basketball she is spending time with best friend and teammate Emily Krieghoff, boyfriend, Michael Raymer, guard on boys’ varsity, and her teammates.

?It doesn?t seem like I would, but I go shopping with Emily a lot,? Hensley said. ?I also go to the movies, Boomers and play Guitar Hero with Michael and the basketball girls.?

Even though basketball practices and time with friends fills the majority of her day, she finds time to spend with her family. Although some minor arguments may erupt with her 13-year-old sister, Nicole, Hensley values her relationships with her family.

?I have a great relationship with my parents,? Hensley said. ?I think it?s because they raised me to respect them and whenever I have a problem we always talk it out. We are always so busy so we don?t have very much time to spend with each other, but on weekends we will watch movies together.?

Hensley credits her success to her parent’s encouragement as well as from Tosland.

The Lady Eagles’ will next host the Mendota Aztecs at 6 P.M., Feb. 1. For more information on girls’ basketball, visit girls? basketball sport shorts.