Athlete Profile: Natalie McNurlen

The Lena High School girls basketball team is in the hunt for a Marinette & Oconto Conference title. Senior Natalie McNurlen was a big part of the team’s success this season, but tore her ACL and meniscus during a game against Coleman on Jan. 13, and will miss the remainder of the season.

Through the team’s first 13 games, McNurlen was averaging 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.1 assists per game.

McNurlen made an M&O all-conference team in her sophomore and junior seasons. She landed on the first team last winter.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: My interest in basketball began when I was very young. I have a lot of older cousins who played basketball, and that sparked my interest. I started playing basketball in the fourth grade, and I fell in love with the sport and the teamwork that came along with the game.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the basketball court and why?

A: My favorite thing to do on the court is to hype my teammates up. I love when my team goes through a good play and we get a good bucket out of it. It makes me love the game even more, watching the girls around make plays.

Q: What has the game of basketball taught you over the years?

A: The game has taught me many things over the years — teamwork, being a leader and overcoming obstacles. When a game or a play doesn’t go your way, you have to pick yourself up and push through.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you hope to accomplish by the end of the season, and how do you plan on achieving those?

A: For me individually, my biggest goal is to be the best team leader I can be. Coming into my freshman year of high school, I was tasked with the responsibility of being that leader. I’m proud to say that I finally became that leader that my coach has been waiting for.

Q: With your team in the conference title hunt, what needs to happen the rest of the season to win it?

A: Our team has come a long way since last year. We have all the pieces we need as a team; we just need to put all the puzzle pieces together. Our goal as a team is to start having two good halves, not just one. Coming off jump ball with energy, and holding that energy and confidence until the buzzer goes off.

Q: Heading into the second half of the season, what are some areas in which the team wants to improve?

A: We definitely want to improve our offensive side of the game. We have really expanded our game on the defensive end, but we sometimes struggle offensively. We also want to improve the way we come out; sometimes we come out flat and pick it up in the second half. But we are working on having two complete halves where we play with energy and confidence the whole time.

Q: As a senior, how do you try to lead the rest of your team?

A: As a senior, I try to not show my frustration as much, knowing that the other team members look to me, so if I’m showing my frustration it reflects onto them. I try to stay as positive as possible no matter what is going on during the game.

Q: Before a game starts, do you or the team have any routines or rituals you go through?

A: Before the game starts, I like to listen to all the songs my dad (Dave) listened to during his era. Then every game I get new pack of Juicy Fruit gum and go through that whole pack during the game.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Lena girls basketball team?

A: My favorite memory of competing on the Lena girls basketball team has to be sophomore year when I had a buzzer beater layup to win the game.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “Top Gun.” TV show — “Stranger Things.” Musical artist — Polo G.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know?

A: Growing up, dance was my main focus. I danced for seven years until I reached the top level when I then had to choose between dance and basketball.

Q:What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school.

A: Earlier this year, I made the decision to focus on my future instead of sports (after high school). I plan on attending Bellin College to become a radiation therapist.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Natalie McNurlen

Sport: Girls basketball

Position: Point guard, wing

School: Lena High School

Year: Senior

FYI

The Q&A was conducted before Natalie McNurlen was injured.