Even with two fast breaks against Rochester and two steals over Ann Arbor Pioneer in non-league action in the month of December, Plymouth senior Ali Hider has learned that there’s more to basketball than just the sport. He has shown sportsmanship on and off the court. For this final year on Plymouth’s team, he aims to make it one to remember. The Perspective sat down with Hider to talk about his success and his attitude on and off the court.
Molly Okon: When did you first decide that you wanted to play basketball?
Ali Hider: I’ve played it my whole life, but I started taking it seriously around fourth and fifth grade.
Molly Okon: What inspired you to first decide that you wanted to play basketball?
Ali Hider: I was, I think, fourth grade. One of my friend’s dads approached me and was like, ‘We’ve seen you play, and to join their team.’ So ever since then, I’ve just loved the sport.
Molly Okon: What position do you play?
Ali Hider: I’m a guard, and I play the forward since our team has a lot of guards this year.
Molly Okon: What is your main goal this season, and how are you planning on achieving it?
Ali Hider: Since it’s my last year, I want to make it a memorable year, and I also want to win games and hopefully become Park champs.
Molly Okon: Do you plan to continue playing in the future?
Ali Hider: Yeah, if the opportunity is there for college, then I definitely would love to play there. But if not, then I do have other goals outside of basketball too.
Molly Okon: What are some of those goals?
Ali Hider: I want to hopefully get into the medical field and become a dentist like my father.
Molly Okon: For Park rival games, what is going through your mind?
Ali Hider: I know Canton and Salem are really good this year, so we just have to stay focused. It’s my last year playing them, so obviously I want to win both games. So just stay focused and don’t get distracted. That’s pretty much it.
Molly Okon: Do you have any pre-game routines or things that help you get into a calm headspace?
Ali Hider: I am Muslim, so I pray before my games. And I just like listening to some calming music.
Molly Okon: How have your teammates inspired you so far?
Ali Hider: We’re like a family, so we’re really blunt with each other. We laugh all the time, and that chemistry translates to the court. Their positive energy influences everyone, so mostly that.
Molly Okon: How have your coaches helped you so far?
Ali Hider: Here at Plymouth, we’ve had two different coaches in my three years here, so their trust in me has been beneficial. And also just being open and letting [the players] give our opinion of what we can do better, instead of being closed off, helps too.
Molly Okon: So you said that fourth grade was when you started playing basketball. What have you learned over the years?
Ali Hider: I’ve learned that basketball is not just basketball. You know, you make connections, you make friends. It’s just a big social network that you can use it in so many ways, instead of just putting the ball in the rim. I feel like I’ve grown mentally through basketball, my maturity level, like when I get on the court. Respect the refs, your players, the opposing team. So it’s just 100% a coping mechanism. I can see it as that as well.
Molly Okon: What advice would you give to someone who’s, maybe a freshman, that wants to play?
Ali Hider: You are your only enemy. If you want to get better, you got to push yourself. Don’t listen to anyone, just focus on yourself and leave the negative energy and trash talk off to the side, because you don’t have to act cool to play. Go put the ball in the rim. Go home, that’s it. Go practice. But, yeah, just focus, play against yourself. And then you’ll see the progress.
