Sophia Sanders: From Junior Scots to Varsity

For Sophia Sanders, basketball is more than just a hobby. She plays on multiple teams including Galloway’s team, an AAU team, and at camp. When she started playing in third grade, she was, “really bad,” and until she scored six points in the championship game, she didn’t like playing at all. This moment shaped her whole basketball career. It was the most important game to play well, and she made an impact for her team. She remembers, “seeing her dad’s face light up,” and that made her happy. The game gives her something to work for and when she plays, she is taken away from her problems going on with school and other things. Off the court, basketball has taught her the importance of hard work and leadership, and it has made her lots of friends. She has learned that you always have to work hard to reach your goals, and that it won’t always be easy to reach them.

She has played basketball from Junior Scots all the way to varsity, and she enjoys making friends from other grades and playing together on a team. She says that usually she isn’t a leader, but basketball has taught her to step up into a less comfortable role and support her friends and teammates. Playing basketball has taught her how to be aggressive, how to step out of her comfort zone, and play a bigger role, being more outspoken on the court. This year, our varsity girls basketball team is projected to do very well and make it to the elite eight. Sophia is excited to play for Galloway and make more friends. While she doesn’t want to play in college, she will definitely keep her love for the game and values learned through the sport with her throughout her academic career.

By Ellis Balser