Page 17 - Laker Connection Fall 2011

is my strongest,” she says.
“My mom is my inspiration, and
she’s my best friend. She has always supported me 110 percent, she’s just so hard working and she never gives up,” she adds. “I can’t name one time when she has let me down. She’s my inspira- tion because I want to be able to give her the world because she deserves that and more.”
Tanisha is the first of her family to graduate high school and continue on to college. She nods to her acceptance letter to col- lege as her career high- light. She expressed, “the family is all de- pending on me to make it out and that gives me the motivation to strive for nothing but the
best.”
“As the mother of a wonderful young lady and national champion, I could not be prouder,” says Tanisha’s mother, Melissa Campbell. “I always preach to my children that education is the key to success. I know that Tanisha
Above: Woodard takes the media spotlight follow- ing the championship win.
loves basketball and everything about it. I was honored when she completed high school and started Clayton State Uni- versity. I’m even prouder that she has maintained her education and her bas- ketball over the past three years.”
Tanisha finished the championship season with 411 points for a career total of 998 points.
“If she has a similar season in her senior season, she has a chance to set the career scoring record for Clayton State women’s basketball. She already holds the career record for steals with 314, and by the end of next season she also has a chance to also break the fol- lowing career records: games played, field goals made, assists, and blocked shots,” says head coach Dennis Cox.
Tanisha admitted she had no idea she was close to breaking those records; ultimately her goal for next year is to have a great season and graduate.
“This would be a huge honor for me individually; all the players I have played with here have made it possible. I could easily take all the credit, but every player I have played with here has made me into a more mature and hard work- ing person,” she says.
She is majoring in psychology and
Far Left, Center: Woodard in action during the NCAA Division II National Championship game against Michigan Tech. Left: Woodard, sporting the championship t-shirt, claims pieces of the net fol- lowing the win.
hopes to one day counsel children, though she would love to continue her basketball career.
“I love playing basketball because it brings me peace. I’m so relaxed while playing and nothing else seems to mat- ter. My heart is connected to basketball and I never want to fall out of love with it.”
Looking forward to her next and final season, Tanisha is excited about welcoming back redshirts Genesis Kelly and Keona Dixon, whom she believes will make a big impact on the season.
Below: Woodard gets aggressive on her home court against Lander. Woodard was named Den- fensive Player of the Year for the Peach Belt Con- ference.
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