When Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell is addressing his team after a big playoff win and screams “you were built for this I half expect him to toss a game ball to Hartland guard Kirstin Tomassi.
She is an underdog every time she steps on the floor because of her size. Bigger kids got picked before her during pickup basketball games. Then she showed she had the heart of a Lion once she got into games.
The days of being bypassed were over.
Tomassi stands 5-foot-4 and was the smallest player on the floor when Hartland rallied from the dead to beat Novi last Friday. Her fight and grit helped keep the Eagles in a tight KLAA race where six teams have two conference losses.
“My size did not get me on the court,” Tomassi said. “I think my toughness opened the door.”
She reminded me of Mike James and Lindsey Hunter who used to attack opposing guards during the 2004 going to Work championship Detroit Pistons. Pistons Coach Larry Brown told his two guards to attack and steal the ball.
That’s exactly when Tomassi did along with teammates Jaylen Nokovich (14 points), Kennedy Tucker Ellie Laier and Kayla Matties. They attacked Novi guards, punched the ball free and recorded an improbable victory.
Tomassi got her toughness from her dad who told her size and skill was not going to get her any playing time. Her ticket to success came from being smart and tough.
When we’ve talked about Hartland girl’s basketball we focus on the big girls inside. But guards like Tomassi are pretty special too.