TaMiya Handshaw was voted Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after leading the Lady Warriors with 20 points in a win over Phoebus High School.

While the season is still young, the Nansemond River High School girls’ basketball team has still been figuring out how to put it all together. With such a young team, the Lady Warriors know experience will be the true teacher for this season. They were able to put together one of their best games in a 40-point win over Phoebus at home. In that game, Handshaw was able to get things going, resulting in 20 points. It was a strong effort for the sophomore.

“I felt like I gave it my all out there,” Handshaw said. “It was definitely one of my best games.”

Handshaw returns this season with another year of experience under her belt, having played varsity as a freshman last season. She feels like that year has helped her prepare for her breakout sophomore season. Her scoring has gone up this season as well as her playmaking ability, which in turn has made her one of the top players on a young Lady Warriors team.

Handshaw admits sometimes it can be seen as pressure having to score more, but she knows all the hard work she has put in will pay off.

She describes her game as an all-around team player, as she is always looking to get her teammates involved.

“I have been working really hard for the season,” she said. “I came into this season, wanting to play more aggressive.”

Winning motivates her when she is on the court with her teammates. She wants to give her all for her team, because she knows there is no better feeling than securing a win. Even though it has been tough sledding so far for Nansemond River, with only one win under its belt, Handshaw believes that the losses will just push her to keep getting better so she can start helping her team string together more wins.

Her mother inspires her in all that she does, because she sees her mother work hard for what she wants, which inspires her to do the same as well, whether it be in sports or the classroom.