by Madison Loughlin '22
What sports do you play, and what positions do you currently play?
I play basketball and soccer. For basketball, I am a point guard and shooting guard. I play the right back position in soccer.
How did you get “into” those sports, and how long have you been competing?
I’ve always been a big Knicks fan and have been playing basketball for about seven years. I’ve played on school teams and have participated in multiple basketball programs, including the YMCA’s Youth Basketball League and Steady Buckets. I wanted to play a sport and increase stamina during the basketball off-season, so I joined my school’s soccer team. I’ve played soccer for five years.
Describe your greatest sports moment and how you overcame it.
In seventh grade, I was recruited onto the varsity basketball team at my K-12 school. We were playing a game in Queens. The score had been tight the whole game, and with less than a minute left, we were down by two, 43 to 45. Coach called a time out and drew up a play: Laura would set a screen for Layla, who would now be open to receive a pass from Theo and shoot a 3-pointer. The referee blew his whistle and we started doing the play, but there was one problem: Layla couldn’t get open. The shot clock was ticking, and Theo still had the ball in her hands. With no other options left, Theo handed the ball off to me, and I shot a 3 pointer from the top of the arc. We were winning. With a few seconds left, Martin Luther tried to get a jump shot in—they missed, but Laura fouled. The player knocked down her two free throws, and we lost.
It was a heartbreaking result after playing hard all game, but I couldn’t help but feel ecstatic that I, the youngest player on the team, had made an important shot in a moment that mattered. On the bus ride back, Theo, the captain, shouted me out for my shot, and the whole team applauded me. It was that moment that made me realize that winning and losing isn’t all black and white; this loss had given me such a big confidence boost that in my book, it felt like a win.
What life lessons have you learned from your sport(s)?
Communication and trust are invaluable. Members on any type of team—athletic or not—need to have healthy relationships with each other in order for the whole team to succeed. Being open and honest off the court or field will only serve to the benefit of the team. Another lesson that I’ve learned from playing sports is that you only go as far as you push yourself. It’s cliché, but practice really does make perfect. Even talent needs to be continuously maintained.
Can you explain the state of last year’s seasons due to COVID-19? How did you continue to practice your sport/maintain connections with your teammates?
All of last year’s formal seasons were cancelled, with the exception of a few teams that were granted the opportunity to hold practices in late spring. Neither girls basketball nor soccer was one of these sports, which was disappointing given how uplifting sports are for myself and others, especially during uncertain times like these. Luckily, I was able to meet with a small group of friends a couple of times over the last year to play soccer. As for basketball, the program I am involved in held daily practices over Zoom until it was safe to hold socially distanced practices. But besides that, text messaging and social media have been great ways for me to keep in touch with teammates and friends.
Describe your “pre-game” ritual and how you deal with any nerves. What keeps you motivated?
Distraction helps calm my nerves. When it’s possible, I take a walk, listen to music, or talk with teammates about anything else but the game.
What passions do you have outside of sports?
Outside of sports, I love to play guitar and take pictures.
What challenges have you faced as an athlete? How did you overcome them?
I think the biggest challenge I’ve faced is struggling to believe in myself at times. Athletes build confidence over time, so the more I hone my skills, the more I will be able to trust myself to deliver, especially during crunch time.
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