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"Oh Toto, I am so excited to see the Wizard of Basketball. I know exactly what I am going to ask for. The Tin Man is looking for the tenacity of a defensive player, the Cowardly Lion wants the courage of a rebounder and the Scarecrow wants the skill of a scoring ace. I want all of those things, but most of all, I want the heart of a champion. Do you think the Wizard of Basketball will help us?" asks the Lady T.
The doors to the great basketball court
slowly open, inviting the four visitors in. Without knowing what to expect, they
enter. Standing before them is the Great Wizard of Basketball. As the Lady T
opens her mouth to speak, a large puff of smoke fills the room and the Great
Wizard commands, "Silence!!! I know why you are here. But you need not ask
for anything. Look at yourself, believe in yourself and you will see that you
have everything you need. I challenge you to find the tenacity, courage, skill
and heart of a champion within." The four visitors turn to leave. Amazed by
this new revelation, they look at each other and see that they have all changed!
No longer are they afraid or timid, they have found the heart of a champion, and
it was within themselves all along! What shall they do now? 'I know!' exclaims
the Lady T. " We'll go home...to Trojan Fieldhouse...there's no place like
home..." Leah Bakke, the newest Lady T, has begun her journey to a new home, to the Dakota State Fieldhouse. Although, Leah may be on a new journey as a Lady T, she has already made a journey of her own. Leah comes to Dakota State from Volga, South Dakota where she attended Sioux Valley High School. On the court, Leah averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals per game. She was also the recipient of a number of individual awards. Throughout her career, this Team MVP and Team Captain was 1st team All-State in 2000, 3rd team All-State in 1999, an All-State Tournament Team selection, South Dakota Player of the Year Nominee, All-Conference, All Brookings Register First Team, and Brookings Register Player of the Year. She also helped Sioux Valley to a third place finish in the SD State Tournament her senior year. Off the basketball court, Leah was a letterwinner in both track and volleyball. In the classroom, Leah also excelled and was a member of the Sioux Valley Honor Roll, Student Council, and Senior Class President. She plans to major in Multimedia/Web Design or Fitness Management/ Wellness at Dakota State University. So, the next time you see Leah in blue and gold, she may not have ruby slippers on but she has followed the yellow brick road home.
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