Hawkeye freshman Stewart finding her way

NORTH LIBERTY - Freshman Hannah Stewart is finding her new home in Iowa City as a member of the University of Iowa basketball team.

Stewart moved into the dorms in June to start classes and practice with her teammates. She said this has been helping to keep her mind off being away from home.

'The family atmosphere and knowing I have friends makes a big difference,” she said. 'I think I'm the farthest from home on the team. It's a 12-hour drive.”

Originally from Minot, N.D., Stewart attended Bishop Ryan High School and was part of their two state basketball championship teams in 2013 and 2014. She gained national attention after playing for the North Tartan AAU basketball team. Stewart originally had offers from three colleges, but that total quickly climbed to over 20 after her debut. She always had wanted to continue one of her high school sports - softball or basketball - and saw college as a very important decision.

'I didn't want to stop,” Stewart said. 'I love (basketball) and the camaraderie.”

The 6-foot-2 player also considered Oregon State, Gonzaga and Northwestern. Stewart said the decision wasn't easy, but the team and coaches at Iowa really helped solidify her decision. She committed in October.

'The chemistry of the team and the girls, I noticed it right away,” she said. 'They made me feel like I was part of the team even before I was.”

Stewart is keeping busy between pursuing her business degree and practicing with the team. They lift together three times a week with one-hour practices twice a week. They also scrimmage three times a week.

'Even though it's the offseason, it's not really the offseason,” Stewart joked.

In addition, she is playing with McCurry's/Blendcard team in the Game Time League. Stewart said the league offers her experience at a higher level of basketball.

'It's a lot different from high school or AAU teams,” she said. 'There are more college players and the games are played at a much higher pace.”

Last night in Game Time League play at the North Liberty Community Center, Stewart's fifth-ranked McCurry's/Blendcard squad took on No. 4 Cullen Painting/ Joensy's Iowa City; after leading most of the game, McCurry's/Blendcard fell behind in the second half before ultimately losing, 83-79.