Hoop Dreams

Although there were very hard times, being in high school, I do have memories of being happy. Each block had a rec hall that would hold activities for the young people. I loved sports and I played basketball and softball. 

Our girls’ basketball team, the Double Tees, used to play against teams from the outside—places like Hinckley, Payton, and Wasatch. They would bus in to camp to play us. We even had opportunities to be trucked out to play against some teams. Although the other teams were much taller than we were, we were quick and good shooters and always won. (Our record that year was 6-0). 

A collage of photos of teenage Japanese American girls in various basketball poses.
The 1944 ‘Double Tees’ (Topaz Toppers), Topaz’s unbeaten girls’ basketball team. Joan Nakamura, Mits Sato, Natalie Nakamura, Wyno Nagasawa, Sachi Dowke, Grace Tsujisaka, Mariko Shinoda, Yuki Tsuchihashi, Mits Nakamizo.  Ramblings, the Topaz High School yearbook, 1944, page 110. Topaz Museum.

Once, there was going to be an overnight trip to play, but my parents would not let me go to play. The coach even came to our barrack to ask permission, stating he would provide extra supervision; but my parents did not give permission and I missed that game. 

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