Some freshmen arrive on campus simply happy to adjust. Luther’s Tinsley Wiley arrived ready to compete. Even in her first year of high-school basketball, she knows exactly what she wants and how she plans to get there. As she puts it, “My personal goals this season are to become a complete player and leader to my teammates.”
A new coaching staff has brought energy to the program, and that shift has been felt immediately. “The morale has been really good this year,” she said. “We have a new coach, so the energy has been really strong on the court.” That new spark has translated into early chemistry and confidence for a young Luther group.
The connection within the roster stands out most to her. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen from the team so far is how well my teammates and I click on both sides of the floor,” she explained. Their goals depend heavily on that bond, especially as they chase a higher standard together. “We want to play with intensity all four quarters, so we have been focusing on discipline.”
Even as a freshman, Wiley understands exactly what her team does best. “I think our biggest strength is teamwork,” she said—something reflected in how the team moves the ball, communicates, and competes.
Running the show is part of her responsibility, and she embraces it. “Point guard,” she said simply when asked about her position. Reading defenses is a major part of her game, too. “I look for how they’re guarding the ball and if they’re trying to push me a certain way.”
When the pace increases and the game demands more, she stays steady. “I focus on staying calm and trying not to get into my own head about it,” she said of her physical and mental preparation.
Her mentality never changes when the ball goes up. “My mindset when I step on the court is to compete and stay locked in for my team.”
Wiley hopes to leave a lasting impact during her time at Luther. “I want my legacy to be that I was a good student, lifted up my peers and represented the school with pride.” And while fans may not see everything behind the scenes, she adds, “We have worked really hard as a young team this year.”
Her favorite memory so far is uniquely hers: “Making state in my cross-country uniform.”
Tinsley Wiley competes in cross country, basketball, and track, and she plans “to attend college and obtain a business degree.”
