Compton girls’ basketball has an entire new look this year. After graduating a strong set of seniors, there is only one returner for the Tarbabes: sophomore guard Nakara Johnson.
“She leads more by example than word of mouth,” Head Coach Derrick Anderson said. “I think that’s more valuable than someone who just talks.”
Johnson is joined by freshman guard Ariel Williard, who Anderson said is very promising.
The two will be looking to lead the Tarbabes with their previous basketball experience and IQ of the game. The rest of Anderson’s team, including six freshmen, are just learning how to play.
“As far as right now, I’m just teaching, just trying to get them to get them to position their bodies differently and jump and show them what the court is,” Anderson said. “So it’s a lot, but the girls are willing. They [are] willing to learn. They come out and work hard.”
When teaching the basics of the sport, Anderson said the players having an open mindset is one of the most important aspects of his team. Anderson credits the Tarbabes for learning a new sport while balancing it with school, conditioning and any frustrations they encounter along the way, as well.
“It takes courage to continue to play hard when you don’t know how to play, to continue to push when you don’t want to push, and you don’t ever know how far you can push your body,” Anderson said.
Anderson admits he can be a little tough as a head coach. However, that is another important quality all his players have: the ability to take the heat.
“I’m demanding, so I might raise my voice every now and then,” Anderson said. “They continue to work hard. They take the criticism as constructive and not negative criticism, so that helps,
and I’m optimistic about this group to say the least in the future.”
One of the ways Anderson and the rest of his coaching staff is helping the team learn more about basketball is by watching games. Anderson said this ranges from film to college practices to WNBA games.
“Hopefully with getting out, seeing different parts of the city and seeing girls who are pushing themselves and having success, and the ones that are pushing themselves but aren’t having success, how they react to the situation,” Anderson said. “They see that it’s possible for somebody to fail but still keep trying and not put their head down.”
As Compton continues to learn the rules and basics of the game, Anderson’s hope for his team is that they will compete in the Moore League while they navigate this learning curve.
“Compete even if we’re down or if we’re winning. Just compete whatever the situation is, and compete with a positive attitude, regardless of the outcome or the circumstance,” Anderson said.
The Tarbabes travel to Wilson for their first Moore League game Dec. 17.
