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03/05/2020 11:00 PMEveani Okwuosa is making quite a name for herself as a member of the North Haven girls’ basketball team. Only a sophomore, Eveani has not only earned a spot in the Indians’ starting lineup, she’s also become a top offensive weapon who’s averaging 12 points per game on the season.
“It’s been a great experience so far. Everyone is so kind and supportive,” says Eveani. “You build a family while you’re there. Being able to talk to whoever I need has helped a lot.”
Eveani and her squad are having a great campaign that’s seen North Haven post 13 victories to go with berths in the SCC and Class L State tournaments. Eveani, a 5-foot-8 forward, garnered a major honor for her performance when she was selected to the All-SCC Second Team on behalf of the Indians.
“It means a lot. Being a sophomore and being able to get an award like that is really humbling,” Eveani says. “It inspires me to work harder, because it shows what I’m capable of now and what can come if I keep working hard.”
As Eveani continues to grow, she’s doing so while working with a new coach this year. In his first campaign at North Haven, Head Coach Tom Blake has been impressed with Eveani and only expects her to get better during the next two seasons.
“Eveani has tremendous athletic ability, and she’s got a great nose for the basketball,” says Blake. “When she gets the ball, she just gets closer to the basket and can finish. She’s very fast and she draws a lot of fouls and makes a lot of free throws.”
While Eveani’s offensive skills have been on full display, Coach Blake says that one of her most impressive traits is her play on defense. Blake often asks Eveani to guard the opposition’s best player, and Eveani is excelling in that role.
“I love a challenge on the court. I’m up to take anybody,” Eveani says. “My heart for the sport is strong. I’m willing to do anything to show my toughness and win.”
Prior to her time at North Haven, Eveani played for an AAU team called the Connecticut Starters. She plans on joining another AAU program, the Connecticut Heights, which is sponsored by Nike.
Eveani was drawn to the court by her older brothers Emadi and Ethan, who are both alums of the North Haven boys’ basketball team. After watching her brothers play and also playing with them, Eveani started to catch the basketball bug and wanted to follow in their footsteps.
“My brothers are really an inspiration. How hard they work on and off the court really pushes me to do what they do,” says Eveani. “Watching them play, they always stood out. My brothers are just people who stand out, and that made me want to be just like them. Them talking to me and playing with me really sparked my love for basketball.”
Eveani adds that her parents are extremely supportive of her basketball career. After every game, Eveani’s parents offer her advice on how she played and don’t sugarcoat their critiques. Eveani feels that this type of honesty has only helped her become a better player.
Coach Blake looks forward to helping Eveani continue progressing so she can reach her potential by her senior year. Blake says that Eveani features the right combination of athletic ability and an excellent attitude.
“Even though Eveani is only a sophomore, the kids have all accepted her. She’s a terrific kid,” says Blake. “Eveani always has a smile. You need her to grab the ball rack from the equipment room, she’ll run right in and get it. When you have a combination of talent and personality, it makes you a special person, a special player.”
Eveani wants to work on her outside shot as she enters the second half of her high school career. Basketball means a lot to Eveani, and she feels honored that she gets to play the sport she loves in North Haven.
“I just love the game. Basketball is my happy place,” Eveani says. “Being at North Haven and being given an opportunity to play basketball and show what I can do, it makes me love the sport even more.”