Michaela Hodge had a natural talent for basketball.

Nicole Boone, the mother of the subject, was a member of the varsity team for four years at the former Northampton County High School-East during the early 2000s. The subject’s uncle, Gary, also played for the old Rams during the early 90s.

It is highly probable that due to her family background, the 6-foot-3 senior center from Northampton County would naturally gravitate towards basketball. This is in addition to the fact that her father is also involved in the sport.

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As young as four, Michaela began playing on basketball courts in the Northampton County recreational leagues. Now, after years of dedication, she has built an impressive career for herself.

During her regular-season home finale against North Edgecombe in the second quarter, Hodge reached the milestone of scoring 1,000 points in her career. This significant achievement was accomplished in only three varsity seasons, as she was unable to play her freshman year due to COVID.

“It has always been a goal of mine,” stated Hodge, who has committed to Hofstra University. “After playing against the Warriors, I noticed one of my competitors reaching 1,000 points. I asked my mom how close I was to that milestone and she advised me that I needed to average 20 points per game for the remaining season. I have been determined to achieve this ever since.”

During this season, Hodge has an average of a double-double (20.5 points per game and 12.1 rebounds) for the Jaguars. They also won the Tar Roanoke 1A Conference tournament and tied for the regular season championship.

After securing a victory in the opening round, Northampton County (20-5) will compete in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A girls basketball playoffs this Friday at their home court against Pamlico County.

According to her mom, Hodge has consistently held a central role in the post for Northampton, starting from her second year and growing from a reserved player to a confident presence on the court that fans witness today.

According to HSOT, Boone, who sits at courtside and always has her own stat sheet, mentioned that she is slightly more particular.

Handling pressure

Hodge commands attention as she takes to the basketball court. At the 1A level, she is particularly noticeable, standing above her competitors. This has been true throughout her entire basketball career, starting from when she first began playing. She briefly took a break from basketball to try dance, but soon realized her agility was better suited for basketball moves like drop-steps and pivots.

After rediscovering the sport in middle school, Hodge’s potential began to garner attention. It’s not common for the daughters of former NBA players to pursue basketball in a rural area like Northampton County.

Hodge acknowledges experiencing stress as a result of her surname.

“Perhaps it was minor, but I persevered and refused to let it hold me back,” she stated.

After she began succeeding in the sport, she received additional attention which she strongly felt. However, her family and faith assisted her in disregarding any potential disturbances.

“I simply go out and play the game,” expressed Hodge. “But before the game begins, I take a moment to connect with the divine. I always pray before and during the game, and I have internal conversations with myself. I couldn’t do it without the support of Christ.”

It was not solely the demands of playing basketball, but also the usual pressures that come with being a teenager (Hodge recently turned 17 in the past month).

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Despite the challenges of simultaneously attending college classes and playing on the AAU circuit with the Carolina All-Stars, Hodge has also faced the pressure of constantly being a top target for her opponents over the past two seasons. Despite this, she managed to average 16 points per game and lead her team, the Jaguars, to a league championship and a spot in the playoffs. Boone believes that season may have posed the biggest challenge for her daughter.

“When your mentors inform you that this is a crucial stage in your recruitment,” Boone explained, “it may have added some additional pressure for her.”

Goals accomplished

In the end, Hodge’s love for basketball remains.

The court is an ideal escape. She effortlessly moves up and down the court, easily grabbing rebounds and rejecting shots on the defensive side.

Hodge has achieved at least 10 points in every game this season, except for one. She has also attained a minimum of 20 points in 10 conference games this year and grabbed at least 10 rebounds in eight consecutive games.

Despite her achievements, she still receives messages from her father for feedback.

Every day, Hodge chuckled as he shared, “He continues to share my statistics on Twitter and Instagram. We talk on the phone daily. Just recently, I missed a call from him while I was in a game! Our conversations always revolve around basketball and ways I can improve my performance on the court. He constantly supports me and encourages me to aim for greatness and reach my full potential.”

Hodge’s name may be synonymous with greatness for many years to come. It is not a common occurrence for Northampton to have players who score 1,000 points. Additionally, Hodge stands out as a female player from Northampton playing Division I basketball, which is a rare achievement.

Her impact and influence will continue to be felt even after she moves to New York and is no longer a player for the Jaguars. However, her mark has undeniably been made on the program.

“I desire for them to express that she played a crucial role in Northampton’s current success.”

Source: highschoolot.com