Ganon Baker Staff - Lori Drake Personal Basketball Trainer

Name: Lori Drake Title: Personal Basketball Trainer Achievements: All State High School Player, Regional High School Player of the Year , Scored 1700 points in High School Career, Junior College Standout, Former DI player - UNC-W, Elected to the All CAA team as a senior, Current Professional European player Contact: (434) 941-6723 Email: Lori Drake Encouraging Words: Dream... Believe... Achieve Passion for the game: I found the Love and Passion for the game of basketball when I was 7years old. My dad loved to play with me and help me improve everyday, so that made me love the game even more. I was always daddy's baby girl, but now I was daddy's baby basketball girl. I would stay outside playing and practicing all the time as I grew up. I would get my dad out there and beat him in every game possible. I am sure when I was younger he let me win a few games, but just a few not many! He would make me stronger by pushing me around and making me fight to win! My dad is my hero and probably one of the main reasons for me loving the game so much. He wanted me to succeed at the game and reach my dream of playing DI and Professional basketball. But my passion also came from that feeling of the leather in between my fingers and the sound of the ball hitting nothing but net! When I would play I loved hearing the sound of shoes squeaking on the court and people yelling "defense"   "ball..ball..ball.." When I heard people yelling in games I knew that it was intense and they were really playing with passion. I grew up knowing that practice makes perfect, that is why I would sleep with my basketball, I would pack it in my book bag, and I would stay out until 9 or 10 o'clock at night playing. I also found a passion in one single player, who is a legend, a hero and an all time athlete; Michael Jordan. I wanted to be like him so much that I would watch his video's and then go outside and try his moves. I just could never jump high enough to do them. Michael Jordan was and still is my favorite player to ever play the game of basketball. He played with passion and motivation all the time. He showed emotion on the court and he was a leader and a warrior. I always told my dad that I wanted to be the female MJ one day, and he always told me I can do it if I practice hard enough! Dream... Believe... Achieve...