Fresh off an IAAM B conference championship, Notre Dame Prep's junior point guard Sydney Tommins is ready to make another run at a title. The 5'9" athletic playmaker is attacking the basket more aggressively this season and we had a chance to interview Ms.Tommins recently. 

695: How old were you when you started playing ball?

Sydney: I was 5 when I started playing basketball. I was on the Tarheels in the HCYP recreational league.

695: How did you get started playing?

Sydney:  My brother played basketball and I wanted to be just like him.  Also, one of the refs in town saw me play when I was younger and told my parents I should join an AAU team.

695: Where did you grow up?

Sydney: I was born in Atlanta but have been in Howard County since I was 2.

695: Which AAU teams have you played for?

Sydney:  I played for the Maryland Waves for 3 years, Columbia Ravens for 1 year, Maryland Storm for 2 years, and am currently on the Maryland Grizzlies.

695: What do you want to add to your game?

Sydney:  I want to be more aggressive offensively. I’ve worked hard to be a good team player and set up my teammates on offense, but I want to be able to score more points.

695: What position are you most comfortable playing?

Sydney: I have played point guard and off-ball guard during different seasons and with different teams.  I enjoy both and even like posting up when I have smaller guards on me.

695: What else do you do besides play ball?

Sydney: Other than playing volleyball in the fall, and concentrating on my schoolwork throughout the year, I don’t really have that much of a life outside of basketball J. When I do have free time, though, I like to cook or bake. My [temporary] favorite thing to bake (and eat) is pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

695: What type of artists do you have on your Ipod?

Sydney:  I listen to a lot of rap and R&B music, so I mostly have artists like Drake, Wale, and Christ Brown on my Ipod, but I will admit that I am a sucker for Justin Bieber.

695: What are your goals for the high school season?

Sydney: My goal this season is for our team to repeat as IAAM B Champions.  I think our team would also be a really good fast-break oriented team. We did a decent job last year, but I think that our fast line-up this year could really help us get 10-15 more points a game in transition.

695: Who is your favorite player?

Sydney:  I don’t have one specific player that I like the best, and I’ve always been a Maryland fan, but I definitely have a lot of respect for J.J. Redick because of his dedication to his shooting form and percentages.

695: What do you love about playing this game?

Sydney:  I love the mental aspect of the game. I love to fake people out and make them go one way while I go the other.

695: Tell me something people don't know about you...

Sydney:  Most people don’t know that I played badminton during the spring season of my freshman year.