Claire Hooker – Locust Grove 

By Chris Cox

Locust Grove’s Claire Hooker comes from a basketball playing family and that is what piqued her interest in the sport at a young age.

“I’ve been playing basketball since first grade,” the sophomore says. “All of my family members played basketball and it just kind of ran in my family. My older siblings really enjoyed basketball and when they played or practiced, I’d always practice with them.”

As she’s grown and continued playing basketball, Claire says it’s it the relationships she builds that she enjoys most about the game.

“I enjoy playing with my friends because they become like my family,” she says. “We have team parties for holidays and go eat out as a team. Basketball is just a fun sport that really allows for team bonding.”

While bonding is an important part of every successful team, Claire says the Lady Pirates goals go beyond building strong relationships. 

“Our goal is to go to state this year and go pretty far,” she admits. “To do that we need to keep our energy up and always give 100 percent. And my main goal is to be an all-around good teammate. I want to share the ball more and not just shoot.”

As sophomore, Claire isn’t necessarily relied upon to be one of the main leaders, but she knows her time for that role is coming and she is starting to take notes from the upperclassmen that are currently leading the Locust Grove program.

“One of seniors, Chloe Silka, is a very good vocal leader,” Claire says. “She is always trying to help people up and help people understand what they are doing wrong and how to get better. Being a vocal leader is a little outside of my comfort but it’s something I’m trying to be better at.”

Along with playing basketball for Locust Gove, Claire plays for an area AAU team as well. She is also involved in Locust Grove’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Fellowship of Christian Students organizations. 

With only a couple of years of high school remaining, Claire is already trying to make plans for after high school.

“I am planning on playing basketball in college,” she says. “Hopefully, those conversations will start to pick up during my junior year.”