Senior Week- Dani Teel

Senior Night this week vs. UTHS on Thursday. Time goes by pretty fast. We have a great group of six senior players and two senior managers. They have represented their school and community so well. I asked each of them to reflect on their basketball careers. As I receive their replies, I will post them.

This is from Dani Teel.

 When you were younger, was there a male or female player you watched who inspired you? What was it about them or their game that drew your attention?

When I was younger, I always watched Illinois basketball (obviously) and for some reason I just loved Corey Bradfort.

 

What have been your favorite classes or teachers at GHS? Why?

I honestly cannot think of any class that I have taken at GHS to be my "favorite," but there are a few teachers that come to mind... Mrs. Lipe has taught me everything and more on what I need to know to become a good writer and I thank her for the skilsl I have learned in her classes. Also, Mrs. Knicker would go above and beyond to help not only me, but also every student in the class with our math to make sure we understood the material.

 

What are you options or plans for next year?

As of right now I have two options. 1. Attend Bradley University and major in retail merchandising. 2. Attend the University of Illinois and major in business marketing but I would also manage for either the women's or men's basketball team.

 

Do you have an idea of what you would like to study after high school, or what kind of career you would like to go into?

Retail Merchandising, there is no doubt in my mind that I will pursue fashion and retail for my career. After college I hope to someday become a buying for a big time retail store or even possibly create my own brand along with my own store.

 

I am sure there are many things you appreciate that your family have done for you. In what ways have they inspired you?

My mom and my dad have always told me that I can do whatever I put my heart to and i will achieve. But, that being said my dad created a basketball court in my backyard and he put me in y-league basketball in kindergarten. Also, he made me quit hockey in 3rd grade because he told me I had a bigger future in basketball and I could never make it to the NHL and since then I have never looked back.

After the season is over, what could your teammates say about you that would make you the most happy to hear?

I would be happy if they said I always had a positive attitude and that they could tell I gave it 100% at all times.

 

Your senior class is a special group. How have these relationships made it a good experience for you?

I have played basketball with some of these girls since I was in 3rd grade and we have made a connection not only on the court but I am glad to say I have life-long friends. Even playing with some of the girls for 3 years has been an experience that I know I will never forget. We are truly a family and they are people who I really care about and will keep in touch with for a long time.

 

What are some of your favorite memories from your basketball experiences?

I always liked playing against churchill and lombard when I went to Costa and I remember in 7th grade we were playing Lombard and it was a boring game and Rainee was guarding me. We had been going at it the whole time, but of course we started to talk and I remember I asked what her name was and she told me and I will always remember that that is how I met my friend Rainee Sibley! Also, the last game of the year my sophomore year we played Moline and we beat them with a last second layup and our whole team was so emotional in the locker room and then Coach Rux told us that he loved us, I don't think I could forget that either.

What advice do you have for junior high or freshmen/soph players?

To always listen to your coaches, because they do know what they are talking about and that no matter what always give basketball 100% because in the end hard work will pay off with a positive attitude.

 

I know you will be pulling for your younger teammates who return for next season. What do you hope the freshmen, sophs, and juniors on the varsity have learned from this season? What message would you have for them?

I hope they have learned to bond with each other. A team won't be successful if you don't like your teammates. I hope they continue with team dinners and team sleepovers to build a great team chemistry like we have this year!

What do you hope fans say about our team?

I hope that they say that we are a group who plays with heart, we always leave it out on the floor regardless of what the scoreboard says.

 

The best thing about basketball is.....

The feeling you get when you walk on the floor of John Thiel Gymnasium...that's something I will never forget because it's a feeling a will always remember.