Rapid adjustment

Tonya Hunter drew up the play specifically for London Coleman to take the final shot.

But in the closing moments of regulation as the Hewitt-Trussville High School girls basketball team faced off against Auburn in a holiday tournament, the Lady Huskies’ leading scorer hesitated.

“She passed the ball, and we didn’t get a shot off,” said Hunter, now in her third season at Hewitt-Trussville. “She was looking for her teammate. That tells you the type of kid she is.”

Coleman is humble and quiet. Upon speaking to her, the first impression is not one of a brazen or cocky individual, although there is a quiet confidence — a confidence in herself and in her team.

Her passing up that final shot proved that. She is in her second year at Hewitt-Trussville, and she is infinitely more comfortable with her squad than the day she arrived.

“It was scary at first,” she said. “Because I didn’t know anybody. I was nervous, but I had to learn how to play [Hunter’s] style and had to gel with my team.”

Part of becoming a leader on Hunter’s team is being more vocal.

“She’s a quiet leader. She leads by her actions. Right now, we’re trying to get her to be a vocal leader, because they listen to her,” Hunter said.

Now a junior, Coleman has quickly ascended into a voice her team listens to, although it is not quite as prevalent as Hunter hopes it becomes.

“She went from where she started out to, ‘Now I have to lead,’” Hunter said. “That’s huge for a 16-year-old. That’s what she’s figuring out, and she’s getting it. She’s getting her other teammates involved.”

Coleman’s skill set is unique, as she plays the 1 through 4 positions for the Lady Huskies (point guard, shooting guard, small forward and power forward) as matchups and personnel dictate. At the next level, she would undoubtedly play a guard position, but the versatility she possesses will always be a valuable skill.

“My role is to attack on offense and play solid defense in the post and as a guard,” Coleman said.

She is part of a young, dynamic backcourt featuring herself and Morgan Kirk, just a sophomore. The two have grown accustomed to playing alongside each other and have developed a great chemistry.

“Last year, it was different because I was still learning how to play with her,” Coleman said. “This season, it’s much better. We’re communicating more, and we understand each other on the court more. I kind of pick up on her instincts when she’s going to drive and what she’s going to do. She’s picked up on mine because she knows if I’m driving and I get stopped, I know exactly where she’s at.”

As for her own game, Coleman said she is still working to improve her outside shot and her ability to finish around the basket. She watches WNBA players like Maya Moore and Odyssey Sims and attempts to pick up on some of the details that make them successful.

“Odyssey Sims attacks really well and finishes well,” Coleman said. “Maya Moore is more of an all-around player, and I’m trying to become more of that.”

Despite last year being her first year with the Lady Huskies, the team relied heavily on her experience, as Hewitt-Trussville advanced to the Northeast Regional at Jacksonville State University, something only Coleman had ever achieved.

Coleman was called up to the varsity team at Springville High School as just a seventh-grader and played there through her ninth-grade season. In that final season, her Springville team reached the regional final. Coleman knew what it was like to be in that atmosphere.

“I told them there were going to be a lot of people there and not to feed into the crowd, because that would make you nervous,” she said.

That first taste of varsity ball at Springville hooked her. Up until seventh grade, Coleman’s favorite sport to play was softball. 

“I fell in love with it,” she said.

She plans on playing for Hewitt-Trussville’s school softball team this season, but basketball is the sport she hopes will take her competitively beyond the high school level.

Her coach certainly believes in her.

“She’s going to be awesome wherever she goes, and she’s going to find the perfect fit, and she’s going to excel,” Hunter said.