Hominy High School senior Lela Hopper approaches her final prep season with a steady mindset shaped by teamwork, routine and resilience.
Hopper, a third baseman, said the people around her have been the driving force behind her growth both on and off the field. “My teammates inspire me the most, because I know that if I can’t give my best then I know I can count on them to pick me up,” Hopper said. “I always want to give them my best so that I can depend on them to give me their best, so we can be successful as a whole.”
That sense of accountability fuels a team-first mentality that has defined Hopper’s high school career. She said the camaraderie and shared goals are what have kept her committed to the sport. “Being able to spend time with one another and playing the sport we all love, while also having the same goal in mind, is really what has kept me around this sport for so long,” she said.
As a corner infielder, Hopper understands the demands of her position. Third base often requires split-second decisions and quick reactions. “You never know where the ball is going to go, whether it’s smoked or bunted at you,” she said. “I think the most difficult thing about third base is needing the ability to react quickly.”
Preparation is key for Hopper, especially at the plate where she relies on a detailed pre-pitch routine. Before every pitch, she visualizes her target, resets her focus and follows the same sequence of movements to stay consistent. “The first thing I do is I look out to the field to see where I’m hoping to hit it,” she said. “Then I take a deep breath,” followed by a series of small adjustments that help her lock in mentally. The routine, she said, helps her stay calm and ready regardless of the situation.
Off the field, Hopper values balance. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing pickleball and getting rest when she can. In the classroom, she gravitates toward math and credits one of her earliest teachers for leaving a lasting impression. “My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Passmore,” she said.
Hopper also embraces the lighter side of team culture. She points to Leighton Sills as the most vocal teammate and Kihanna Gilliland as the one who keeps everyone laughing. And when it comes to postgame cleanup, she said Olivia Wallace “almost always has a dirty uniform,” even if no one is quite sure how it happens.
Despite the fun moments, Hopper said the lessons learned through athletics run deeper. “Athletics and sports in general has taught me the most important lessons that will carry me through life,” she said. “Most importantly, they taught me how to be a leader. It also taught me how to work as a group and be able to depend on others.”
She also appreciates the individuality each teammate brings to the program. “I love all of our unique personalities, different abilities, and special traits we each bring,” Hopper said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be who we are as people and, especially, who we are as a team.”
With her senior year ahead, Hopper remains focused on contributing to that collective identity one play, one pitch and one teammate at a time.
