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There isn't much Hahsasah Simmons doesn't do on the basketball court for Winston-Salem Prep. Simmons, a senior small forward, had five points, five rebounds, five steals and two assists in Prep's season-opening 65-60 win against Walkertown last week. He's also known to lend a helping hand to teachers and the principal at Prep as a teacher's assistant.
"He's an honor roll student and is always doing things to help out around school," Prep Coach Bill Tibbs said. "He's one of our captains. We lean on him to show the younger guys what we need because he has been in the program the last four years.
He's humble, he's reliable, and he's a young man with great character who always does the right thing." Simmons also plays football and runs track for the Phoenix, but basketball is definitely his first love. People are also reading.
.. "I started playing when I was in fifth grade," Simmons said.
"I was flipping around on the TV one day and a basketball game was on and Steph Curry was playing. I was hooked after watching him play. I asked my granddad to buy me a basketball goal and I started going to his house as much as I could to start shooting.
" Simmons' love of the game continued to grow. He played middle school ball for the Phoenix starting in sixth grade, played in a league at Reynolds Park Recreation Center, and also joined the Carolina Zoom travel team. He made the Prep JV team in his freshman year.
"That really helped my game get better than what it was," Simmons said. "We had a really good varsity team that year and getting to practice with those guys taught me so much. I knew I needed to be patient and wait my turn.
" His sophomore year was when things started to really come into focus. He scored his first varsity points in the first game of the season against Glenn and remembers the moment vividly, not for the excitement of scoring his first basket, but for something completely different. "All I could hear was my mom screaming and going crazy," Simmons said with a laugh.
"She was pretty excited." He also got his first dunk in a game toward the end of the season against Bethany Community. "I got a steal near halfcourt and just took it in," Simmons said.
"That was fun." Last season, Simmons was the second leading scorer on the team and averaged 9.8 points and three rebounds.
"I knew I needed to work on my shot more and started working out at RISE with a trainer," Simmons said. "I think we learned a lot last season and my role changed a lot. I went from being one of the role players to being one of the team leaders and a lot more was expected of me.
I'm just trying to keep building on that." Simmons, who pronounces his name "Hassan" also runs track and is in the gaming club at Prep. He competes in the 200, 300 hurdles, and the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays.
"The 200 is definitely my favorite," he said. "I love coming off the curve and into the straightaway. Track and football have helped me a lot with my speed and stamina for basketball.
" COOPER'S QUESTIONS FOR HAHSASAH SIMMONS BROUGHT TO YOU BY PF PLUMBING Q: What advice would you give to your younger self about navigating high school or life in general? A: Pick your group of friends wisely Q: Who's the best teacher you've had? A: Ms. Maija Smith, English, Winston-Salem Prep Q: What three people, living or dead, would you like to have dinner with? A: Michael Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, 50 Cent [email protected] Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
