Rising star: Matayia Tellis ’21

West Side Story: Why did you start playing sports?

Matayia Tellis: I started to play sports because it brought me out to more people. I did it to basically meet new people and communicate.

WSS: Which of the sports that you play is your favorite and why?

MT: As of right now, basketball. [It’s my favorite] because I’ve been playing it since second grade, and I just love it. When I’m angry or something, I just go play basketball and shoot around.

WSS: When did you start playing basketball?

MT: I started playing basketball in second grade. That’s when I actually started [getting] better. And then third grade is when I actually started to play [competitively].

WSS: How do you think playing other sports like volleyball and running track have influenced you to be a better basketball player?

MT: For volleyball, it helps my hops when I’m playing defense or shooting the ball. And then track [helps] my speed, so I can [keep up] with [Lauren Zacharias ’19] and Audrey [Koch ’21].

WSS: How do the athletics in Wisconsin compare to here?

MT: [The athletics here] are way better. The coaches take more time to help you, and they push you way more than they did where I lived. [In Wisconsin], they focused on one player, [but] here, they work with every individual.

WSS: Who has been someone that has inspired you the most to keep playing? How have they inspired you?

MT: My mom. Even though I wanted to quit two years ago, my mom was like, ‘No, you’ve been working so hard to play basketball. You should keep doing it.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, you’re right. I’m going to keep doing it.’ She works out with me, she comes to every game and she’s just there all the time.

WSS: Do you have a motto or inspirational quote you live by?

MT: “Always work hard no matter what, because someone can take it from you.” It’s something my dad tells me all the time. When I came [to West], I was playing varsity my freshman year and I was like, “Dang, if I want to start next year, I have to work hard.” My dad has always told me that anyone can come take my spot anytime.

WSS: What was it like playing in the state game as a freshman?

MT: Wonderful. It was amazing. Looking up at the stands, I was like, “Wow, this could be us next year again.” We knew we could [win]. When we first walked in, we were like, “We got this game. This is ours.” When we actually did it, we were like, “Oh my God.” It was powerful.

WSS: How do you think the dynamic of this year’s team will be different than last years?

MT: It’s a big difference without Rachael [Saunders ’18], Logan [Cook ’18] and Emma Koch [’19] — big people we don’t have [anymore]. We are all guards and I feel like we can run a little more than last year, but other than that, I don’t know.

WSS: What are you looking forward to the most this year?

MT: Probably getting to know everyone … better, like my coaches. We have three freshmen this year, and I want to get to know them a little more.

WSS: How are the dynamics different from your club team and high school team?

MT: With my [Amateur Athletic Union] team we all know how [our teammates] play. Here, I was like, “I don’t really know how they play [or] what do they expect me to do.” We started doing fall league, and I was like, “Yeah, we got this. We can definitely play like each other.” … The only [people] I work out with here are [Zacharias] and Audrey [Koch] … When I first got here I didn’t really know how everyone played and I didn’t know if anyone would come out and talk to me.

WSS: How have the coaches at West influenced you last year during the season to keep going?

MT: This quote that Mayer always says, “If it’s not your game, find something to do that helps our team.” I know I had a lot of bad games last year, and he pushed me so hard. He was like, “I know you can do it. I believe in you.” He’s the best coach I’ve had so far.