WINTER PARK, Fla. — Every year there is a basketball team that gets off to a surprising start. This year, it’s the Lake Howell Silverhawks who are led by Mazaiah Marc. Since she started playing in the 2nd grade, she has been playing for the love of the game.

“I want to keep basketball always a part of my life because I love the sport,” said Mazaiah. “Just how hard you have to work. It’s very fun. Winning is awesome also.”

And winning is something Lake Howell has been doing this year. Last year’s team won only 9 games and they have already surpassed that total in the first 11 games of this season. Mazaiah has played a big part in that, leading the team in points and rebounds.

“We have been doing well; we have been winning a lot,” she said. “I think it is really helping us that we have learned each other and learning how to play with each other because we are a team, we can’t do it all by ourselves.”

It’s Mazaiah’s first year playing at Lake Howell, but she isn’t the only new addition to the program. 2020 Lake Howell graduate Lenlee Klusman is in her first year as head coach for the Silverhawks.

“She teaches us new things every day especially she played the game so having that inside understanding to what we go through and how hard we have to push each other and to help us get to those accomplishments we want to get to is a really great thing,” said Mazaiah. “She is a great coach.”

“I really think we are going to go far. I think we are going to make states, and I think we are going to have a good run.”

And after the season is over, Mazaiah is looking forward to her future in the game.

“I do want to go to JUCO (junior college) just because I really feel it’s a great route to go through,” she said. “Going JUCO is the biggest thing for me and after JUCO transferring a big 4 year (college).”

Once she gets on campus, she knows what she wants to study.

“I want to study psychology in college,” said Mazaiah. “I believe the mental health for athletes are a big thing. So going back and giving back to my community for mental health in psychology and especially in sports.”

The FHSAA state championships are at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland from Feb. 25 through March 8.