Tahrington Phillips '19 Recruiting Profile

My name is Tahrington Phillips.  My parents wanted to give me a strong androgynous name to try to circumvent any stereotypes, at least on paper.  I prefer Tahri.  I have two middle names, which are Rose and Maya.  I am named after my two great grandmothers who were very strong women who overcame tremendous socioeconomic, educational and racial obstacles throughout their lives. Their belief in education as the key to success in life has been passed down through to my generation.  Everyone in my immediate family has a name that begins with "T" for terrific and tenacious.  I am just kidding about terrific and tenacious but they do describe two of my qualities.

I live with my parents, my older brother, a blue and gold Macaw named Madison and a very fat and adorable cat named Jazzy.  My family and I love animals.  My first sport was dance.  I began taking ballet and tap at the age of four.  Basketball came into my life at the age of five in kindergarten.  I would play basketball with the boys during recess and at the after school program.  Then in the second half of my fourth grade year my parents made a decision that would change my life.  They heard that the Linden Hall School for Girls in Lititz was accepting applications for a 5th grade class.  The rest they say is history.

I have always loved school and learning.  I used to cry at the end of the school year.  I was ready for a more academically rigorous environment.  Linden Hall offered that and more.  I have excelled and thrived there.   I was excited to learn that there was a middle school basketball team and that fifth graders were welcome to the tryouts.  I did just that and I earned a spot on the team.  My parents were a wee bit shocked because they had no idea that I knew anything about basketball!  And I have been playing basketball ever since.  My AAU experience began in seventh grade.  I also played soccer on the field and as goalkeeper from fifth to eighth grade, but had to let it go due to my over involvement.  I played flag football in the spring and fall for 3 years until I aged out.  The boys always groused about having a girl on their team until they saw my skills.  

In addition to basketball, I continue to dance.  I am part of a performance company.  I was asked to be a part of a hip hop performance company too but I had to decline because of my commitment to basketball.  I also love music.  I play the piano, ukulele and tenor sax.  I am a part of the school's orchestra and and an auditioned ensemble called Sinfonia as well as two choirs.  I stay very busy and active. Not to mention that I am involved in a number of other extra curricular activities such as Model UN and the Student Government.  All of these activities have helped me become the person that I am today.  

I believe that my competitive drive, passion for basketball, athleticism, and tenacity help to make me a really good, strong basketball player.  But my optimistic personality, sense of oneness, determination, selflessness, spirit of cooperation and comraderie make me an exceptional team player and teammate.  I am always willing to authentically listen and to learn new things and skills.  I always strive each day to be a better version of me.  I am uniquely me and I do not strive to be anyone else.  

My goal is to attend an excellent academically rigorous school that offers a lot of diversity and where I can continue playing the game that I love so much and where I can add value to the school community and to the team.   I am looking for a place where I can continue to grow academically as well as athletically.   I am looking for a place to call my second home.