By Ken Hansard
Carthage High School senior shooting guard and student-athlete Lauren Choate spoke to VYPE SPORTS in a recent interview.
VYPE SPORTS: What are your personal goals for the year?
Choate: A couple of personal goals that I have set for myself are to reach my 1000th career point and to be a good leader for my teammates.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite athletic memory?
Choate: My favorite athletic memory is when we were on the bus to one of our district games and Maggie was throwing up. She had Ziploc bags to throw up in, in case of an emergency, so I had to hold this bag while she threw up; however, some of it ended up on our shoes.
VYPE SPORTS: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Choate: The teammate who has left the biggest impact on me was Kianna Yates. She was a great basketball player, but also a great friend. She showed me how to play with confidence and to be a good teammate. She was a great example of someone who was willing to put her teammates before herself.
VYPE SPORTS: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Choate: My favorite part about being on this team is playing with my best friends every day. Our starting five has been close for a long time. We have been friends since we were little, and we have played basketball together from a very young age.
VYPE SPORTS: What clubs or campus groups are you involved with and why?
Choate: At school I am involved in DECA and National Honors Society. Outside of school I am a part of the Bridge Church group. I am involved in all these things because I am interested in business and enjoy helping around my community.
VYPE SPORTS: What accolades (in any sport or activity) are you most proud of?
Choate: I am most proud of the recognition I have received for basketball. I was named All-Conference and have also received All-District honors in each of the past two seasons – my sophomore and junior years.
VYPE SPORTS: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Choate: My sport has taught me in my daily life that even when things aren’t going your way, you still have to show up and contribute something because other people are still relying on you.
VYPE SPORTS: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
Choate: The best advice I have been given is to take advantage of the time you have right now with friends, family, coworkers, and whoever else. Everyone will eventually go their separate ways, follow their own paths, and have their own lives at some point, so don’t take it for granted.
VYPE SPORTS: Who inspires you and why?
Choate: I would say that my dad inspires me. He has taught me how to work for everything, while still being able to have fun and enjoy my time. He shows me how to handle conflicts and how to take responsibility for my actions. He is hard on me, but he is also my biggest supporter.
VYPE SPORTS: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.
Choate: I would say thank you to my parents, family, coaches, and teachers. My parents have given up so much of their time to make sure that I get to do the activities that I want. They constantly gave up their time and never complained about it. My family has always supported me, never missing games or missing activities that I do, no matter where and what it is. Then I would thank the countless coaches and teachers I have had for putting in so much time and effort in order for me to succeed athletically and academically.
