Dukeman not letting injury hold her back from impacting St. Joseph-Ogden Basketball

BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns.

After the 2018-2019 St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team placed third in the IHSA 2A State tournament, Hannah Dukeman set her sights on leading the Spartans as point guard during her senior year.

But by the time summer rolled around, Dukeman knew that she would have to lead her team from the sidelines. An August surgery to repair torn ligaments in her wrist would keep her off the court for at least six months.

“I hope I can help the players just as much as if I were on the court with them,” Dukeman said. “Seeing the game from the outsides allows for so much more perspective of the game, and I hope that the girls are able to listen and take advice I may have about the game.”

For the last 15 years, searching for and accepting advice is what has helped Dukeman to become a leader in basketball and softball.

“I have more people than I can count that have been influential to my journey as a basketball player: Brett Melton, Keith Peoples, my dad, Kevin Taylor, and many others,” she said.

“All of them have pushed me to limits I didn’t know I was capable of reaching and they are all the reason why I am the player I am today.”

As a player and a “coach” Dukeman has her sights set on making that lasting impact on all she comes in contact with.

“Every practice and every game I want to bring energy and leadership onto the court,” she said.

“I love being able to guide people towards success and knowing I’m doing everything to do so. Being a leader and seeing others succeed is always a good feeling. With more energy, the game becomes more enjoyable to not only the players but the audience as well.”

According to Dukeman, the St. Joseph-Ogden community is the “hype man” for the teenaged athletes.

“People from all over the town come to support sporting events,” she said. “Whether it be boys or girls, there is always a great crowd.

“I have grown up in this program, and I don’t ever remember a year where the community wasn’t supportive about each and every sport. It’s important to all athletes because it gives us all a support system and another reason to play.”

Dukeman began her journey on the basketball court when she was three or four years old, participating in YMCA programs.

“Ever since I stepped foot on the court for the very first time, I have been in love with the game,” she said.

“There is something about the game that allows me get away from everything and just play. Just play the game I know and love. I have tried multiple other sports, but basketball was my first and has always been my favorite.”

The 5’7” guard became an instant asset to the Spartan squad.

So much so that the ball was in her hands when the score was close at the end of a State Farm Classic game against Rockford Lutheran and an important Illini Prairie Conference game against Monticello.

Dukeman went on to add what the Spartans needed with  8.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists as they worked their way to Redbird Arena in 2019.

The disappointment of not being on the court during her senior year has not held Dukeman back from experiencing the gamut of experiences that come along with finishing out her high school career.

Dukeman said she wants to “enjoy the journey of it all. High school doesn’t last forever and the memories we have made so far, are ones that I will not ever forget.”