(Republished from Feb. 15, 2010)

 

If you tell Malina Howard what a good basketball player she is, she’ll tell you she wants to work harder to improve.

 

But that’s just how she is. It’s humility, to say the least, but it’s also refreshing that a young star hasn’t let the hype get to her head.

 

Nationally ranked among the top college recruits of her 2012 class, the Twinsburg sophomore still has two years to go until graduating and she isn’t putting much thought into recruiting banter.

 

This much Howard knows: she wants to play Division I college basketball and she has a lot to work on before then.

 

“It might seem like I’m ready now,” she said. “But I’m not ready for it. There are a lot of people out there that are in competition with me, so I’m just trying to be better than everyone else.”

 

The 6-foot-4 center’s athletic build has given her a natural advantage in the sport, but when her passion for the sport is blended with her size, mobility, skill level, and work ethic, you have a very rare talent indeed.

 

Howard, who scored a record 32 points in a recent game against Hudson, started playing basketball in the third grade through various recreational league teams and traveling teams. Soon she was playing all summer. Today, she loves that she is in control of her basketball abilities.

 

“I know I can do whatever I want with it,” she said. “I can push myself as hard as I want to become better.”

 

When she began her sophomore year, Howard and the rest of the Tigers had to deal with changing coaching styles when Julie Solis became head coach.

 

“It was hard at first,” Howard said. “I was nervous about it, but Coach Solis came in and had the same goals as us. We knew we wanted to go far, and she’s pushed us to get there.”

 

When Solis talks about her athletes, there’s a tone of pride in her voice. She’s proud of where they’re going, but she’s not afraid to point out their weaknesses.

 

“She needs to have Coach Solis’ meanness,” Solis said of her star player. “When she learns that it’s okay to be aggressive and a force on the floor, then she’s really headed in the right direction.”

 

Anyone who has watched Howard in a game knows what Solis is talking about. Towering over most of her opponents, Howard will post up on the low block, but at times seems almost apologetic for being such a presence on the floor.

 

“A lot of people tell me my players take on my personality,” Solis said, almost beaming. “And that’s my goal for her, to get that meanness, get that toughness. She’s a very unselfish player, and in our opinion maybe too unselfish.”

 

Howard said she’s aware of that fame surrounding her name, but tries to not think about it too much.

 

“It’s not a one-person team,” she said. “We all care about each other and want the best.”

 

And perhaps that is what truly makes Howard an outstanding player; she knows it’s not about her. Howard is one of Twinsburg’s four captains and said she focuses on what needs to get done to win and how she can help her teammates.

 

“She’s surrounded by a lot of great people,” Solis said. “I think one of her best qualities is that she doesn’t make it about her when she could.”

 

Howard’s emphasis on team is also what makes her a great captain. Her coach said that none of the captains are particularly vocal, but all lead by example.

 

Saying Howard is close with her teammates would be an understatement. Known as the “cult” around school, Howard said they’re always together. But her support system doesn’t end there.

 

“My parents have inspired me,” she said. “They’ve never missed a game in high school. They’ve helped me realize that I can do whatever I want with my life and in basketball.”

 

Her other inspiration is Shanna Zolman, the 5-foot-10 guard who played for the University of Tennessee and now in the WNBA for San Antonio. “She’s a guard, but I just love how she plays,” Howard said.

 

Off the court Howard continues to shine in her honors and advanced placement classes, but she admits it’s sometimes difficult making the transition from sports back to school.

 

“It’s easy switching from school to basketball,” she said. “But it’s a lot harder getting back in school mode and trying to focus on homework.”

 

But when it comes to the game, Howard is focused. With only one regular-season game left, the Tigers have their sights set on a state championship. Recently ranked third in Ohio in Division I, with an 18-1 (10-0 NOC) record, the Tigers have a chance to break away for a championship.

 

“Our main goal is to get to states,” she said. “We want to get there really bad. We have the talent to, but we just have to keep working hard.”

 

And there it is again, Howard’s mantra, “keep working hard.” It seems as though she’ll never be satisfied with her talent, but perhaps that is the key to an extraordinary basketball player.

 

“You can’t let it get too serious,” Howard said of her game. “But don’t take it for granted either because you never know what could happen the next day, or when will be your last time playing.”