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Tesia Garrett-Hammett is making the leap to the next level. The LaGrange Academy senior signed to play at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College starting in the fall.

“The campus is really beautiful and I like how it is not too big and has a community atmosphere like here at LaGrange Academy,” Garrett-Hammett said. “I also like that there are areas around there that I can shop and do when I’m not in school.

Garrett-Hammett only spent one season as a Warrior, but it was a memorable one as she helped lead the team to the GIAA class A state championship.

“I’m going to remember how hard we worked to get to where we were,” Garrett-Hammett said. “I’m going to remember how much I love this team and how I got to know these girls who are really nice people.”

She is excited to put a ring on her finger and has been thinking about that Warriors championship ring since she helped cut down the nets earlier this year. 

To transition to a new school and team during her senior year was tough. Instead of crying or pouting, she put in the work to fit into the state championship winning side.

“It was really hard at first,” Garrett-Hammett said. “At first I didn’t know what I was doing here. Then, I started talking to the girls and getting to know them. Getting to win a championship together is special.”

Garrett-Hammett comes from a basketball background. She watched as her two sisters had signing days when she was growing up and now it comes full circle as her older sisters were there to support her on her signing day.

“It’s very special for me, because now I’m in it with them,” Garrett-Hammett said with a laugh. “I can finally tell them I’m a state champion and I got a basketball scholarship too.”

Garrett-Hammett first started playing basketball at a young age, but did not start to take it seriously until her freshman year in high school when she decided that she would work her tail off to earn a chance to play basketball in college. 

She was not always sure a day like Wednesday would be possible. She never fully gave up on her hopes of playing college basketball, but often felt down about the recruiting process. She bided her time and her patience led her to find the right next step in her basketball journey. 

“I think the coach there can really push me to be the best player that I can be,” Garrett-Hammett said.