Basketball: Kiwi teen making mark as freshman

IN CONTROL: Tauranga's Makayla Daysh is producing impressive numbers in the American college basketball system.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Playing basketball for an American college has always been an unfulfilled dream for girls growing up in the Western Bay.

That is until Tauranga Girls' College student Makayla Daysh signed a four-year full athletic scholarship with Chadron State University, Nebraska last April.

Daysh knew it was going to be a hard road initially making her mark in the most competitive basketball league in the world. And it has been tough at times but she has come through the hardest period, which she knows has helped her become a stronger person and a better athlete.

"When I first got here I didn't think I could do it physically and mentally, but now I can't imagine not being a Chadron State Eagle," Daysh said.

"Don't fight the process of getting better, it's not meant to be easy. The first few months were very tough with homesickness but as the season has gone along I've become closer with my teammates and school mates and things have been a lot easier.

Going in as a freshman I was a bit nervous as, in some games, I had to mark All Americans, so players who had been in the RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) for three to four years. It is very physical as a lot of the forwards over here are (1.9m-plus). On offence I had to learn how to score without being blocked a lot of the time. I worked a lot on spin moves and pull-up jumpers. On defence I worked on communication and being the talking force for our team letting guards know when there are screens and that they have help."

Daysh admits the intensity of the pre-season conditioning was another eye-opener. "It involved lifting weights three to four times a week and conditioning three times a week. Pre-season was probably the hardest thing I've physically done in my life. Some of my team mates would be standing next to the rubbish bin being sick. But it pushed you mentally as well to give your all and never give up.

"We started the season in October and trained as a team everyday with one day off. After the Christmas break, our team went on a four-game winning streak defeating RMAC number one team Colorado Springs."

All the hard work and sacrifice is paying off for Daysh as she is now comfortable in the environment and producing impressive numbers on court.

"I am currently 27th highest scorer in the whole RMAC with 229 points and 25th highest rebounder with 117 boards. Last week I got nominated for RMAC freshman of the year, the first time in a while the coach from Chadron State has nominated a freshman."

Daysh would love to turn pro one day, ideally in Europe, and continue her passion for teaching younger kids the game she loves.