By Bryce McKinnis
Mustang High School junior Lovely Haywood was raised in a basketball family.
Her older brother, Curtis Haywood II, played at Tulsa then the University of Central Oklahoma. Her oldest sister, Cur’Tiera, played at Austin Peay and Quinnipiac, where she’s now an assistant coach. Her middle sister, Cherish, whom she’s playing without for the first time in her varsity career, is having a stellar freshman season at Radford.
“My brother taught me how to play with heart,” Lovely said. “My oldest sister, Cur’Tiera, taught me how to handle my emotions during and after a game. Cherish taught me how to have integrity and do everything you’re expected to do.”
Naturally, there’s some pressure to being Lovely Haywood; but rest assured that she’s having her best season yet after earning conference sixth man of the year as a sophomore.
“Knowing that all of my siblings went Division I and are/were very successful makes me feel like that’s what everyone is expecting out of me — Not necessarily going D1 but playing basketball at the college level,” Lovely said. “With all the traits and advice my siblings have given me, I’m trying to become my best self. I can’t compare myself to my siblings or even other players in my class.”
World, meet Lovely Haywood. The latest to carry on the family’s basketball tradition defines herself by her work ethic.
“I’m very passionate about the things I love, basketball being one of them, and it’s very important to me that I go all-out in games, practice and training,” Haywood said. “I used to dance. I love to listen to music and color in coloring books. It distracts me from outside things so that I can focus. It’s weird, but I also have started to make and play with slime.”
She approaches the game of basketball with that same curiosity. You might expect that a player of her background might have already learned all that she can stomach about the game of basketball, but she’s always searching for what the game will teach her next.
“I’ve had to step up from my role last year, for sure,” Haywood said. “I didn’t really need to score much. This year, I’m one of the leading scorers almost every game, and I’ve had to take on a big leadership role on my team.”
Haywood and the team are focused on reaching their goal of another trip to the state tournament.
“My goals for this season are to make it back to where we did last year, and that’s the state championship,” Haywood said. “The competition is tougher this year with lots of transfers and people getting better from last year, but I believe my team has the skill set, confidence and ability to get there.”
Lovely believes the key to her success lies within her training habits. She knows she has the tools, but refuses to believe anything is guaranteed.
“Basketball has taught me that I have to work hard at my craft. If I want something, I have to go and get it,” Haywood said. “No waiting and no I’ll do it tomorrow. Having a collegiate future is rare. Not very many people make it to college for their sport, and I want to do that.
“My sisters and brother did it. Now, it’s my turn,” Haywood said.
Haywood’s long-term plans include earning a scholarship, playing at the next level, earning her degree and settling into a great career.
“I want to enjoy life with basketball as much as possible, because it doesn’t last forever,” Haywood said.
