VYPE: What has been your favorite memory of playing basketball?

Lakin: Winning the Area Consolation and punching our ticket to state against Luther this year. We had faced them in the regional final, did not play our best, and lost a close game. The game was tight coming into the fourth quarter, and I was able to contribute on the offensive and defensive end of the floor helping us to increase our lead, get the win, and move on to State.

VYPE: What is the best part about representing Alva High School?

Lakin: The support that Alva’s community gives Ladybug Basketball is second to none. On most away games, we have as many or more fans on our side as opposing teams have as a home crowd. At one playoff game recently, the ref asked our photographer if anyone was left in town or if they were all here. They take pride in us.  When we step out on that court, we are Alva for 32 minutes. I take a lot of pride in getting the chance to represent each and every student and fan that has shown up to watch us play.

VYPE: Who is your favorite professional athlete?

Lakin: Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.  I watched Michael Jordan’s documentary “The Last Dance”. I always knew he was great but that show introduced me to the real person behind the player. The thing that stood out to me the most was how he competed in everything he did, especially how intensely he practiced. Kobe Bryant is the other person I admire because of his “Mamba Mentality”. I really relate to Kobe’s mindset when it comes to how he dealt with success and how others view you as an athlete. I also admire the way Kobe was always trying to learn more about the game.

VYPE: What is the best advice anyone has given you?

Lakin: I have been to training sessions all over the state of Oklahoma and two things have stuck with me. Dan Hays was helping me with my shooting and he said, “If you shoot the ball wrong long enough, you can get good at it, but great shooters shoot the ball the right way”. During the intense training sessions with AJ Hawkins, he always says “Embrace the Grind”. These two combined taught me that to be a good scorer, you have to put up a bunch of shots with good form. Even when you don’t want to be in the gym.

VYPE: Who inspires you and why?

Lakin: Who has influenced/inspired Lakin the most? When I was learning to play, the Ladybugs were in the middle of a three-peat state championship run. There were so many players that reached out to us younger girls. Two of them really made an impression on me. Morgan Shiever was my mentor in grade school, and she would come to spend time with me once a week. Also, Jaden Hobbs always took the time to give me a hug and talk to me. I have always admired her ability as a player while remaining humble. They made me feel like I was a part of their success, and made me want to be a Ladybug. I hope to be able to pass that feeling on to someone else someday.

VYPE: What is your all-time favorite meal?

Lakin: I always make a deal with my parents on big games or track meets that I get a steak dinner if I win. I ate many victory steaks at Northern Chophouse which was my favorite before they closed down during COVID.

VYPE: If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go and who would you take with you?

Lakin: I would love to go to Greece. I would take my family because we always find one week to just relax and hang out together.

VYPE: What is your favorite movie?

Lakin: Remember the Titans. I love how the team overcomes everything that is against them by believing in each other. Their coach also is hard on them and demands perfection which I can relate to because Coach Gore demands perfection from us.

VYPE: Is there anyone you would like to give a shoutout to?

Lakin: I would like to give a shout-out to everyone on my team. It takes all of us working together to win from Jaycee Kellen running the post to Carly Argo burying three-pointers, Grace Gore, Morgan Heath, and the three freshmen Hadlee Ohm, Channing Ferguson, and Kylie Adair stepping up big game after game. It also takes the girls that may not play varsity that much to compete with us in practice and push us to get better. It takes all of us to win as a team.