Nov. 14, 2004
This week’s featured Lobo is freshman Blake Harden. Harden is another local product who graduated from Hope Christian Academy in 2003. An all-state player as a senior, Harden led his team to two state championships and a 57-1 record in his final two seasons. After averaging 16.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg and 3.1 apg as a senior, Blake enrolled at Pepperdine with plans to walk-on the Waves’ basketball squad. He withdrew from classes before the start of the season and transferred back to UNM where he joined the Lobos. He will be eligible to play at the end of the fall semester.
Here are some of the questions you submitted for Blake.
Since you played at a small school, does it make it harder for you to compete at the college level where the competition is so much tougher? (Samuel Coker, Albuquerque)
“Not really, I played a lot of AAU basketball in the summer. Summer ball let me play with the bigger guys and tougher competition. I think that helped to get me ready for college.”
Dude, what is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you on a high school basketball trip?(Mike, Albuquerque)
“I’m not answering that Mike (with a laugh). You were there and you know the story.”
Hey Blake, What player’s share your position and what will you need to do to get more playing time?(Brian, Albuquerque)
“I play a 2/3 guard and there is a lot of competition for that position. Alfred Neale, Tony Dandridge, Troy DeVries, Mark Walters and Chad Toppert are all my competition. To get more playing time I need to scrap around, get offensive rebounds, get on loose balls and play tough defense.”
What is the biggest strength of this year’s team?(Dave, Albuquerque)
“The togetherness. We are all good team players and realize that even the greatest player out there can’t do it with out the rest of our support.”
What is the biggest challenge for this year’s team?(Mark, Rio Rancho)
“Our biggest challenge will be to believe in ourselves and to play to the best of our ability no mater who our opponent is.”
Which team are you looking forward to playing the most? (Ryan, Gallop)
“I’m looking forward to playing Pepperdine, because I will be eligible to play then and I know a lot of the guys on that team.”
Here are a few more questions for Blake.
What is the best game you ever played in? .
“My high school team was continuously ranked second to Tularosa, no matter what are record was. Finally in the championship game at the Dexter tournament we beat them by 15 points. I had 29 points, three dunks and I held there best player to 3 points. It was a great feeling.”
Who is the toughest player you have ever played against? .
“Mark Walters, because he is an all around strong player!”
What is your major? .
“Business Marketing”
What is the last movie you saw? .
“I don’t know. I don’t really watch movies.”
What CD is in your stereo right now? .
“The Shrek 2 soundtrack”