Cierra Walker – back for year 2 with Honka
Icy and slippery January in southern Finland, and I meet up with Cierra Walker at their training venue (Honka Halli) in Tapiola, to talk about her season, the teams season, reasons for coming back to Finland, the weather, long bus journeys … .and photographers point of view of three point shots.
Searching for info on Cierra online and the list of results is so long that it would take a good month or two just scratch the surface of what is there – one reason to love American high school or college or university websites is that you learn a WHOLE lot about the players background and stats over their career while studying. But what do all the stats/accolades mean – probably would also take a good month to talk to Cierra to find out.
Coming through Vanderbilt and Gonzaga – one thing that you definitely see from the stats – and what everyone in the Finnish League can attest to is that she is a formidable three point shooter, if you look through the years 2018-19 : 39.29%, 2020-21 : 40.5%, 2021-22 42%, 2022-23 : 40.5% .. and add to that your 2pts percentage and over 90% free throw shooter.. everyone definitely can see that when the ball leaves her hands (and the release IS quick!) it will find its way to the hoop pretty regularly!
So what was it that made Cierra decide to return to Finland for a second year?
‘The reason I decided to return here is that I really loved it here, the coaches are awesome and the team really makes me feel welcome over here’
Not that all is perfect…
‘Possibly the one thing that I don’t like here, is the weather … the snow and the cold… but I here to play basketball so 🙂 .’
Cierra and Honka made it to the Finnish Cup Final 4 the other weekend, where they lost to the eventual winners ToPo (who are undefeated all season!) and reflecting on that.
‘It was a great achievement to be part of the Final 4 for sure, we obviously wanted to win the game but came up short…. but since then we’ve looked at what we could have done better and have come up with two wins in the last week and performed better than in the Finnish Cup’
What about the away journeys? Which one is the one she least look forward to as a journey??
‘ViVe (Vimpeli) for sure!’ Cierra replies and laughs.
‘Unfortunately I get car sick, so usually I just put my headphones on and listen to music. If I feel really brave, then I try to watch a movie…’
When coming back for year two, how is it for her – does it make it easier to come to the league/style of play, etc?
‘For sure, when coming back for year two I already have a year under my belt – it has been easier as I know the style of play of other teams in the league and I am more aware/comfortable with my role in the team. So for sure has been easier to come here for year two than the first year.
Ending the interview with asking her to give some reasons why fans should make their way to Naisten Korisliiga games this spring
‘I think we’re just fun to watch, I think there are some really athletic players and we have tons of energy and it is just something fun to do!’
Cierra also mentions three pointers, but as a photographer – I do have to point out that perhaps.. just perhaps three pointers do not always make the best photos 😉
Big thanks to Cierra for taking time to talk to me – always a pleasure to chat about basketball to the players around the league!
