Athlete: Jessica Stoner

Grade: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Achievement(s):

• Career high 30 points in the league game vs. Centennial League team Smoky Hill
• Earned special recognition of 2nd Team All-Centennial last year.
• 4th year varsity letter
• Lairme Community College (LCC) commit

Mentor:

“My coaches and my teammates are my mentors. I want to work hard for them and prove to everyone that we can do whatever we put our minds to. It helps to have people who are behind me and will always be there for me and I can also rely on. It’s also nice to look up to coaches who have played the game and gotten to that higher level of play! It’s very inspirational to hear what they have accomplished. It’s also very moving to see that they want to come back and teach everything they have been taught to a younger generation.”

Favorite Memory:

“My favorite memory was the championship we won at the Rebels with a Cause tournament. We worked really hard for that and we proved to everyone that there is a difference in the team. It was very nice to know that everyone contributed; the crowd, the coaches, the bench, and the people on the court. Everyone was into the game and kept us going. I was so proud of the way we worked together and how hard we fought for that trophy.”

Words of Wisdom:

“Really get to know your teammates. It’s important that you realize that everyone has hardships and everyone goes through it in a different way. It’s nice to have people on the team that you can trust or that feel like they can trust you. Be kind to everyone; it will be difficult. Everyone slips up once in awhile, but acknowledge that everyone is trying their best and they’re aiming to get better. Be the one who brings positivity and smiles, be the one that shows everyone including yourself that you are good enough to be there and you are willing to do what it takes to get to the ultimate goal!! And most importantly, have fun! Forget about all the drama. Believe it or not it will fly by. One minute you’re a freshman and before you can blink your eyes you’re a senior. ‘Live in the moment stop worrying about tomorrow and just think about today! You can get through it one step at a time.’”