Tanner Haijny loves the game of basketball and enjoys getting to play any time he has the opportunity. 

He has grown and improved his game during his career and says that the key to being successful is giving it all you have.

“If you want to be the best you have to give one hundred percent effort at all times,” he said. “And if possible, give a little more. You also have to know how to keep yourself motivated. My biggest motivation is losing. Anytime we lose, it makes me want to work hard and get even better.”

A senior at Miami High School, Tanner plays center on the Wardogs basketball team. While he puts in a lot of work, Haijny knows that it is a full team effort to win.

“We have a great group of guys,” he said. “I think we do a great job of working together and making each other better.”

Miami boys head basketball coach, Bruce Chavka, says that Haijny is a key member of the team and is an impact player.

“Tanner is what I would call our tough guy,” the coach said. “He is a very undersized big man that does a great job of rebounding. He is a guy that not only leads but leads by example. I think he will have an outstanding senior year.”

Throughout his career, Tanner has had some memorable moments on and off the court. When he thinks of his highlight moment, it is not a win or a close game, it is something that is a little more personal.

“I think that the most important moment of my career has been when I finally got out of my comfort zone,” he said. “That was a big step for me and it helped me become a better player.”

There are a number of teams that Haijny and his teammates compete against during the season. But out of all of them, he has one that he wants to beat the most.

“Bluejacket is probably the team that I want to get a win against the most,” he said. “They are the team we were playing against when I dislocated my knee cap.”