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What was it like playing ball at Dunbar High School ? I had fun playing at Dunbar . I got to meet new people . My freshman year I played varsity with the Senior ’ s . I played varsity all four years except my sophomore year when I had my son . I took a lot away from that experience listening and learning from the Senior ’ s . They taught me the game . How to take it and make it my own , playing my own way . On top of that I got to play for the late GREAT Coach Ms . Ollie . Who was that GURL on the court that brought out the competitive edge in you ? I ’ m not quite sure because I was always competitive , so regardless of who that person was , it didn ’ t matter to me . I ’ m going to play hard regardless . What was the experience like playing in the Ickes Women ’ s Basketball League ? It actually was a great experience ! It was different , very different , it was called the “ Popcorn League .” Once I found out what it was , you had to wear booty shorts , cause that ’ s basically what the guys who put it together , made the league for . To see girls run up the court in booty shorts . I told them I ’ m not wearing booty shirts , so I bought some pants and cut them up , to mid thigh shorts , the rules was you could only have two people that could play and the rest of the team was girls that just wanted to play , it didn ’ t end up like that you had more girls who really knew how to play than you did just out there , but it was an experience , it was outside we played on concrete . In that League was it anyone that tried to go hard on the court with you ? The name that always came up was Trish . Trish was from the Ickes , and she went to Phillips . That ’ s like a rivalry for us because we went to Dunbar , and Trish played for Phillips . We ended up winning the tournament , The Chicago ’ s Finest . Currently , throughout the gyms they call you that “ OL SKOOL ”. How did you get the nick name ? I didn ’ t act my age , I was mature for my age . I always played with the OL SKOOL , women that were much older than me . Even in some leagues I still play with them . OL SKOOL , that was actually our name on one league . But I think that just came from me being around older guys and women just playing ball . Where you ever extended the Hoopas Pass ? Did girl ballers have a Hoopas Pass across the City better yet did you need it ? In high school I gang banged , so when you gang banging , you can ’ t go in certain neighborhoods . If you hooped , hooping did get you through some neighborhoods , playing in different neighborhoods and leagues . They ’ ll be like oh she play ball . I know who she is … Yeah it did help …. Being that you are a known Hooper do you feel like your son should have gotten a Hoopas Pass ? Not just that … but me being known and my family period .
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It should ’ ve been extended and to a certain extent it was . You know people would be like I know your mom … I remember when you when you was little . He got some passes . But you know it ’ s still different from when we was coming up . As a mother that has experienced that what message do you have for these young men out here wilding out ? Some you can approach and some you just let be , pray for them and let be . You have to talk with them not appear like you want to challenge them . You never know what somebody got going on . I ask these young guys .. What do you like to do ? I encourage them to take all that anger you got built up and go hoop , play video games , if you like to rap . I tell these young kids gravitate to something you like . Take your anger out that way . No one has respect for life they don ’ t think about it until after the fact . Either it ’ s hit them when they get caught , then they want to cry , beg and plead but it ’ s too late . When you had people in your ear telling you to do right . Never channel your anger towards another person because the outcome is not going to be the outcome you want . I also share my experiences of having my son at a young age with our girls . I worked and went to school . I was in the street gang banging but that stopped when I had my son . I knew I had to do better for my son . I tell these young ladies stop making excuses , you guys just want a hand out . No one is going to help you until you help yourself . I let them know you don ’ t want a baby right now . This isn ’ t the time or era to have kids . What has your career been like since High School ? It ’ s funny , my career has been an experience , because when I finished school , my dream was to play in the WNBA . Yet , I knew I had to finish school if that didn ’ t work out . I got a call to try out for the Chicago Steam , a semi-professional team here in Chicago . I the team and I was one of the oldest on the team and worked the hardest . It was quite an experience and I played with them for a hot second . I wanted it so much but when I got it , it wasn ’ t what I expected . I would encourage the young players y ' all should be balling harder than me . I had to get back in shape yet I wanted it so bad . Currently , I work for the Park District as a Physical Instructor . I ’ ve been there for eleven years working with kids , ages 5-18 teaching sports and making a difference in their lives . I also want to Coach High School ball but given my work schedule . I can ’ t but I still I ’ d love to be in the schools .