Big crowd, big game, bigger role for Hopkins' Nia Hollie

As a freshman in 2013, Nia Hollie was a starter for the Hopkins girls' basketball team that won the Class 4A state championship. She played well, averaging almost nine points per game in the state tournament, but her role was largely supplemental.

This year was far different. Now a mature 6-foot-1 junior, Hollie was nearly unstoppable in the Royals' 68-60 victory over Eastview in the championship game. She scored a team-leading 26 points and grabbed five rebounds.

"I feel a little more a part of this one than I did as a freshman," Hollie said. "That was a phenomenal team, but I didn't have as big of a role on that team."

Staff writer Jim Paulsen spoke with Hollie the day after she helped Hopkins to its fourth state title in the past five years.

Q: Has winning the state championship sunk in yet?

A: I think it did a little earlier [Sunday] when we had our team banquet. We had to say farewell to the seniors who finished their careers. I'm going to miss them.

Q: What was your mind-set going into the championship game?

Q: You had a great championship game. How do you see your performance?

A: I guess I had it in me [Saturday] night. I don't know what to say. It was one of my best games, but in the end, I have to give all of the credit to my teammates.

Q: Hopkins has played in so many big games over the years. Were you nervous before the finals?

A: There were nerves, but I think it was more anticipation than nervousness. The one thing that might make you nervous is that there are a lot of people watching on TV, and you don't want to be the one who makes a mistake or tosses up an air ball and has to hear that "air ball, air ball" chant every time you shoot.

Q: So you admit that players do hear those sorts of things during games?

Q: The crowd at Williams Arena on Saturday was pretty loud and boisterous. How much fun was that atmosphere?

A: Usually, we don't get that big of a crowd. We typically have our loyal fan base and our parents, and they're outstanding, but [Saturday] night our manager helped get a huge crowd there. Having them behind us, especially since we got down at halftime, gave us a lot of momentum.

Q: What has been your biggest thrill as a high school player?

A: Playing the tough teams in the Lake Conference day in and day out. Every team has awesome coaches, and the teams play really aggressively. It's tough mentally because every game in the Lake is a battle.

Q: Talk about your coach, Brian Cosgriff.

Q: After joining the growing list of Hopkins' state champions, where do you feel this team ranks?

A: I don't know that this team ranks any differently. They're all great teams and every one of them has left their mark.

Q: What is one thing people might not know about you?

A: I'm a pretty good singer. I come from family of good musicians. And I'm not afraid to say I love Justin Bieber. I will admit that I'm a Belieber.