Natalya Hodge (2) and the Bearden Bulldogs hosted the Farragut Admirals for a TSSAA District 4-4A matchup on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Bearden girls won 52-44. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY DAVE LINK
Bearden’s Natalya Hodge had a breakout season two years ago, earning the starting point guard’s job as a freshman and helping the Lady Bulldogs (35-1) advance to the 2023 Class 4A state quarterfinals.
There was no sophomore slump for Hodge in 2023-24 – despite becoming Bearden’s most feared offensive player with graduation of center Avery Treadwell, a Florida State signee and 2023 Miss Basketball winner.
Hodge averaged 22.7 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 3.3 assists, leading Bearden (30-4) to the Class 4A state sectionals. She shot 32.8 percent from 3-point range and 71.7 percent from the foul line.
She repeats as the 5Star Preps Underclassman of the Year and an all-state player.
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Hodge credits others for her continued success this past season – and her experiences playing hoops as a youngster.
“I had a lot of backup, like people to help me if I had a lot of pressure on me,” she said. “I had good teammates and coaches who supported me, and they always helped me a lot. And I always played up (against older players) when I was younger. I never played my age, and I could say that actually helped me a lot too.”
Hodge reached the 1,000-point mark for her career this past season, the fastest player in program history to reach it.
She has more than 10 Division I college offers. They include Clemson, Florida State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Providence, Central Florida, Tennessee Tech, UT-Chattanooga, St. John’s, and Presbyterian.
“She continues to make a name for herself, more and more,” Bearden coach Justin Underwood said.
COACH: “ULTIMATE COMPETITOR”
Underwood said Hodge pushes herself and has the spirit it takes to play at an elite level.
“She’s the type of kid that wants to get better at the game every time she goes out there,” he said. “She’s never content as far as where she is as a player. Whether that’s trying to prove somebody wrong or continuing to fight to be better just in herself, she’s just the type who is the ultimate competitor.
“I think nowadays, sometimes people are afraid of basically having that dog to compete to that level, but she grew up with siblings and whatnot and in a situation where she wants to win and she wants to compete and get better.”
Underwood knew he was getting a special player when Hodge arrived at Bearden as a freshman. She didn’t disappoint, averaging 15 points, 3.6 points 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
And there’s no offseason for Hodge.
She’s playing AAU ball for one of the top Adidas teams in the nation, and coming off an event a couple of weeks ago, picked up offers from Memphis and Georgia Tech.
Underwood said she never stops working at her game.
“We thought she got better with her 3-point shot this year, although she wasn’t bad at all (before),” he said. “She wants to be a three-level scorer. She wants to work on finishing a little bit more around the rim as far as protecting her body and being able to finish consistently.
“But for a kid that averaged 22 a game, she did a great job of finding ways, not just being a shooter but a scorer. She finds ways to put the ball in the basket.”
Hodge learned at an early age to play hard.
She grew up playing against her older brothers, Dillon and Seth. Her parents, Lakisha Dobbins and Gerald Hodge, recognized her drive to win at an early age and kept her in basketball.
“I’ve just got a lot of competitive people in my life,” Hodge said.
MOVING FORWARD
Hodge has lofty goals at Bearden. She wants to win a state championship – Bearden won the Class 4A state title in 2022 – and she wants to reach the 2,000-point mark for her career.
She’s willing to work to get there.
“I’m working on getting stronger with my left to right and being unstoppable with my left hand,” she said, “and I’m just working on the fundamentals of the game and being more consistent with my shot.”
Hodge has a busy schedule with schoolwork, basketball, and being recruited.
Not a big deal, she says.
“I’m not that busy on a daily basis,” she said.
Underwood said Hodge manages her time well.
“She’s pretty schedule oriented,” he said. “She’s training almost every night of the week, going to tournaments on the weekend. She keeps a pretty set schedule.”
As the college offers continue arriving, Hodge and her family will take their time considering them.
They know it’s a big decision.
“I know I want to go to a big school,” Natalya said, “and I’m really just looking at the relationships I have and where I’ll be able to fit in, and most importantly where it’ll feel like home. It’s got to feel like home, and I’ve got to have a good relationship with the coaches and everything.”
Underwood said during a recent talk with Hodge, he joked that she was about to become an upperclassman in the fall.
But it’s no joke.
“Two years go by quick, and the next two will go by quick,” Underwood said.
He doesn’t expect Hodge’s work ethic to change.
“It’s almost a little surreal because each day is pretty much consistent with her,” he said. “You keep seeing the same thing and she keeps competing at a high level. I forget at times she’s a sophomore.
“We’re looking for her to become an even bigger leader for us next season.”
PAST 5SP GIRLS UNDERCLASSMEN OF THE YEAR
2018-19: Denae Fritz (Maryville)
2019-20: Sarah Burton (Clinton)
2020-21: Sydney Mains (Catholic)
2021-22: Sydney Mains (Catholic)
2022-23: Natalya Hodge (Bearden)
2023-24: Natalya Hodge (Bearden)