Let's Get Physical: Toughness a valuable asset for Norman North senior Hannah Fields
By Michael Kinney
Hannah Fields is used to physical play.
Growing up with an older sibling who didn’t hold back when the two competed, she learned to give just as good as she got.
That mentality has stayed with Fields throughout her hardwood career at Norman North High and turned it into a valuable skillset.
“It’s just toughness,” Fields said. “When you get bullied you just have to bully back, too.
"I'm always the undersized guard that's playing a post. So you just have to be physical too, or you're just going to get bullied all the way down to the basket.”
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Because of her physical brand of basketball, the 5-foot-10 Fields can find herself guarding some of the biggest players on opposing teams. Whether it's with Norman North or her club squad, Team Trae Young, it’s a challenge she has come to relish.
“I've always been the tallest guard, so I don't guard the point guard, which I'm okay with because she's quick,” Fields said. “So I'll get down and play a post, but you just have to push them.
"It’s made it where when I’m on the offensive end when I drive in, I don't get pushed around or I can absorb the contact and go up with and get the ‘and one.’”
Fields not only enjoys it when the games become physical, but she excels in that environment as well.
“I just love to truck people,” Fields said. “I know that sounds really bad. But I like to run someone over, that's what I love to do.
"I can make teams collapse and then kick it out to our shooters and they can just drain 3's.”
Fields has been a pivotal part of the Norman North resurgence in 2023. After going 4-18 last season, they reached double-digit wins this year more than two weeks before the postseason began.
“Hannah Fields is one of the hardest working, most competitive players I have ever had the pleasure to coach,” North coach Al Beal said. “She is also a 'team-first' player. Hannah does whatever it takes to support the team."
Fields gives credit to her teammates for not only making this season fun but also for putting the Timberwolves in a position to make a deep playoff run.
“From a basketball standpoint, we're good shooters,” Fields said. “But we're also good drivers. So we find the mismatch to take advantage of it.
"I think we can be really good. I think if we play the way we know we can play, we can beat anyone.”
Making sure her teammates play with that level of confidence is one of the jobs Fields has taken on as a senior.
“My role on this team is just kind of being the leader of it and helping the girls when they get discouraged,” Fields said.
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While trucking opponents comes naturally for Fields, there were parts of her game that she had to work on when the season began. One of those was just being a more vocal leader.
“At first, it was really uncomfortable for me because you're getting on girls in practice that you're friends with,” Fields said. “But you just leave it at practice and the friendships out of it and you both can grow from it.”
Fields will be taking these leadership traits with her after she graduates from Norman North. She signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Houston Christian University.
“Hannah blew me away with her defensive intensity when she attended our elite camp," HCU coach Donna Finnie said. "She didn't take one possession off and her consistent intensity is tremendous on the defensive end of the floor. She is very versatile offensively, too and a tough player.
"She's one that I don't doubt would do whatever it takes to help her team win. In addition, she's also an incredible student and will be a huge addition to our campus. We are thrilled that the Fields family are Huskies."
For Fields, Houston Christian fit everything she was looking for in a school and basketball program.
“I love the coaches, love the players there,” Fields said. “We get to take a trip to Ireland next year, so that's pretty cool for a tournament.
"But I wanted to get out of state so it's out of state, but close enough. It’s a full ride; that's what kind of persuaded me. Take that load off my parents.”
Norman North (14-9) finished the regular season winning six of its last seven ballgames. In the T-Wolves' regular season finale on Feb. 17, they posted a 62-46 win against Westmoore.
Now, North seeks to continue its winning ways as the 6A West regionals get under way later this week. The T-Wolves play at 6 p.m. Thursday at Putnam City West against Southmoore.
