Anika Duvall Lakeland Year: Junior Sport: Basketball Position: Guard

Although Lakeland’s Anika Duvall is a small wing at 5-foot-4, there is nothing mousy about her play.

She plays more like a cat - quick, aggressive, cunning.

Pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch, according to Lakeland coach Steve Seymour. “She’s the strongest player on the court.

“There isn’t an opponent that can intimidate her. They don’t know what to do with her. She isn’t orthodox in her playing. She is willing to get in there and battle. I just have to find a way to convince her that fouling isn’t a positive stat.”

Seymour sets objectives for his team. If the objectives are met, he buys the players pizza..

“The best part of getting the pizza is knowing we did well,” said Duvall. “I have never been on a team that is this close. We work hard and we know we can accomplish our goals.”

A big goal was met last Saturday when the Hawks beat Priest River to reverse the outcome of their previous meeting. “They are a good team and they beat us,” said Duvall. “We watched the tape of the game and we cringed. We wanted to show them we are not the team that they beat.”

Duvall was instrumental in the win. She scored 17 points and had seven rebounds and three assists.

“We don’t have any superstars on our team,” said Seymour. “We have been led by several different players this year. But when it comes to the pressure, I would rather Duvall have the shot. She thrives under it.”

“I like the pressure and playing a physical game,” said Duvall. “I like to see how many bruises I have after a game. For some reason when the game isn’t on the line, I don’t play as well. But when it’s a big game, I do better.”

It isn’t what Seymour says that is important to the Hawks, but how he says it. Because the Lakeland Hawks are a superstitious lot, Seymour has to say the same thing prior to each game. If he forgets, they will remind him. Duvall carries the most lucky charms.

“I’m superstitious like most coaches,” said Seymour. “However, Anika has somehow been influenced by my neurosis and carries it on the court. She has to wear this ribbon in her hair, a necklace the day of the game and too many others to mention.”

But it’s Duvall’s intensity that makes the Hawks lucky.