Grassfield guard cooks on court and in kitchen

CHESAPEAKE

Pasta Alfredo. Spaghetti. Tacos. All sorts of cake and cookies.

Even dessert pizza.

Nola Anderson loves to work her magic in the kitchen, often fixing family dinners and special-occasion meals.

But it's on the basketball court where the Grassfield junior really cooks.

"I guess I learned from my mom and grandmother. They really got me into it," Anderson said of her culinary skills. "Maybe it stems from me liking to eat, I don't know. But I just love to cook. It's my favorite hobby.

"But basketball is my dominant thing."

No need to tell that to opponents.

In last week's season-opener, Anderson showed off the same kind of versatility on the court that a chef needs to sling good grub in the kitchen.

In a five-point victory over Ocean Lakes, the shooting guard finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five steals - all while playing in serious foul trouble before fouling out with three minutes left.

After it was over, she showed off the kind of leadership and determination that earned her team co-captain honors despite being an underclassman.

"I really don't think that was my best performance," she said. "I was trying for a double-double or a triple-double to help the team. I sure didn't help by being in foul trouble.

"It was an OK game, but I have to do better."

Especially with teammate Lindsey Stimeling, an Air Force signee, out for the season with a shoulder injury.

"(Nola) is seen by many primarily as a scorer," Grizzlies coach Mike Hyman said. "But she is a tenacious rebounder from the guard position and she gets her teammates the ball. She's our backup point."

Opening-game numbers likely will repeat themselves after the hard work Anderson put in over the summer with her Boo Williams AAU team - a squad that features some of the area's top players.

"She's worked diligently on her midrange shot and 3-point shooting... even though she was our leading 3-point shooter last year," Hyman said.

She's also been working on using her left hand more in dribbling and passing - even on layups.

"Coach tied my right arm to my side at practice the other day and made me work one-handed," Anderson said with a smile. "That was interesting. But it was a good way to get used to it."

Family and friends have gotten used to the good vittles Anderson prepares on a routine basis.

Opponents need to prepare for the kind of hoops she dishes out.

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com