When the Sun spoke to basketball star Simone Swain, she had just returned home from the state games in Fresno. The junior said despite having a strong first quarter, Valley Christian Academy lost to Emmanuel High School in the first round of CIF play.
Regardless of the outcome, Swain said she is happy with how things ended with her team this year.
“We just went in there trying to do our best,” Swain said. “We wanted to end on a high note for our four seniors.”
The junior forward played a huge role in helping the academy dominate the Coat Valley League this year. The team was 17-3 overall and undefeated in the league. Swain averaged 18.1 points a game with 18.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals.
For her tremendous efforts, Swain was named Most Valuable Player (she was nominated by players and league coaches). Meanwhile, the academy’s girls’ basketball coach, Peter Fortier, was awarded with Coach of the Year.
“I’m happy because it feels like I accomplished something,” Swain said of her award. “It was good to see my hard work pay off for me.”
She shared that her father was very excited; he is the one that saves all of her video and newspaper clips.
The Lions set out on their path to CIF last year, after losing in overtime during the semi-finals.
“Our goal was to make it all the way and win CIF,” Swain said. “That goal pushed us and reminded us what we wanted.”
The forward, who has been playing since age 5, admitted she faced some challenges this season.
“Our other forward went out this season with a double meniscus tear; she really helped a lot with defensive rebounds,” Swain said. “So there was definitely more pressure on me to make rebounds.”
To overcome this pressure, Swain said she had to work on becoming more aggressive and avoiding “mental slip-ups.” Coming into this season, Swain said she also wanted to work on her post moves.
She said Fortier reminded the teammates of their goals for the season by asking them a certain question every day at the end of practice.
“Coach would tell us at the end of every practice to ask ourselves if we had improved that day,” she said.
Swain is one of three captains for the team. She described herself as a vocal leader; she has to talk on the court. Looking ahead to next season, she said there will be only two seniors, so it could end up being a rebuilding year.
“I am looking forward to the leadership opportunity and having fun,” she said.
The junior said having fun is just one reason she loves basketball. She loves the competitiveness, the team, and, of course, shooting. Currently, Swain is leaning more toward playing basketball in college, where she wants to pursue a career in math education.
“I know I’m playing for God because he gave me my ability,” she said. “I am just playing for Him and doing my best.”
This article appears in Mar 20-27, 2014.
