Sports Spotlight - West Orange Times & Observer: Tya Freeman

Through nine games last season, the Legacy Charter girls basketball team was 2-7. This time around, the Eagles are 7-2 in just their second season of competition. Leading the way has been sophomore guard Tya Freeman. Freeman is averaging 28 points per game and scored a career-best 36 points per game against Foundation Academy.

What’s it like to see the team doing so well in just its second season?

It just feels really great, because you can see how far we’ve come and how much better we’ve gotten as a team.

What do you think the difference has been?

We did get some new girls, but I feel like it’s because we are finally getting more aggressive. Last year, we were more passive.

Of which win are you most proud?

As a team, I would say it was our first game (Nov. 21 against Kissimmee’s Liberty High). It was the first time we came together as a team and we won by two points (32-30) against a public school.

It seems your three-point shot has improved from last season to now. Was that an area of focus?

My dad and my trainer really have had me working on that. It feels great to see those shots going down. It feels like all that hard work has been put to use.

What have you learned from two seasons of playing for head coach Blessing Freeman?

Probably just to push through and not give up.

What are your favorite subjects to study?

I like geometry and sometimes I like biology — sometimes.

What do you enjoy about going to school at Legacy?

I like the people. They’re just super kind and the school really makes you work hard.

What is your non-basketball related dream job?

Psychologist or a psychiatrist. I’d like to help people work through problems.