Takendra Elbert Looks to be a Leader, Role Model

Patch writer Jeff Roberts caught up with the freshman point guard and tri-sport athlete Takendra Elbert to talk about the importance of academics, leading her team and her history with cheerleading. 

Oakdale Patch: How long have you been playing basketball?

Takendra Elbert: Since I was 6 years old.

Oakdale Patch: How did it all start for you?

Elbert: My brother and my older sister are the ones that got me into basketball. They used to take me out into the alley to play basketball with them when I was really young.

Oakdale Patch: What do you love about the game?

Elbert: Everything. I love the intensity; the competition; running up and down the court. I love the feeling when you win the game and also the feeling when you lose the game—that just means you need to work harder.

Oakdale Patch: What do you do off the court, when you're not playing basketball?

Elbert: This is my first year playing volleyball and I made junior varsity this year. I also run track and field.

Oakdale Patch: Are you a standout athlete in those sports too?

Elbert: For track, I'm in the top six in our section for triple jump, so I'm happy with that. With volleyball, if I keep it up, I expect to get better and better at it.

Oakdale Patch: Who is your inspiration on the court?

Elbert: Maya Moore (guard, University of Connecticut). The way she plays, I'm in love with her game. She always makes the extra pass; she hustles; she moves without the ball and she always boxes out. She goes up and gets rebounds and then runs the floor. I just love to watch her play.

Oakdale Patch: Who is your inspiration off the court?

Elbert: My mom. She's always there for me when I need her and she always pushes me to do my best. If I'm not trying my best, she'll always make sure to give me a little kick in the butt, so that's good.

Oakdale Patch: Is it important to be a leader on the team?

Elbert: Definitely. It's very important. If you're the leader out there, people look up to you. If you're the leader and you do something wrong, players might look at that and think they can do that too. I want to do good. I like being the role model figure for kids coming up.

Oakdale Patch: Is it important to you to be academically successful as well as athletically successful?

Elbert: Absolutely. I get mad when I get a B-plus. It's either all A's or above that. I've gotten all A's since kindergarten. My focus has always been on three things: family, academics and then basketball.

Oakdale Patch: What is one thing people don't know about you?

Elbert: When I was younger I used to be a cheerleader. My mom forced me to do tap, ballet and jazz dancing. I hated it. I was always a tomboy when I was younger. I always wanted to play basketball—even though I wasn't very good at it—but I still liked it.

Oakdale Patch: What are your aspirations for next year?

Elbert: First I want to have a winning season. I'd like to help get my team through sections and help my teammates play to the best of their abilities. I want to help make the Tartan girls basketball program a winning program again.