With less than 10 seconds left on the clock, senior Charlie Axus hit a game-winning three pointer earlier this season to defeat Antioch by one. She sat down with The Forest Scout to talk about the season.
How are you feeling about this basketball season?
“To start this basketball season I was super excited! I knew it was going to be a building year as a lot of key seniors left our team last year and we were starting the season with a new coach, but I was excited to make the most of the season knowing that it was my last one.”
What does the team’s pre-game ritual look like?
“Our team’s pre-game rituals for a home game include a stop at Potbelly before the game, watching the freshman and JV teams play, and a team Just Dance video to calm everyone’s pre-game nerves and get a pre-warmup in!”
What did it take for you to be successful in basketball?
“I think, in order to be successful in basketball, just like in any other sport, you have to love the game but also love working hard at it. I think, in basketball, hustle is a key factor as this is how to be a successful defender and rebounder. As for offense, being confident is a big part of the game and that comes from your time in a gym getting shots up.”
What thoughts go through your head as you play?
“There are a lot of different thoughts that go through my head as I play the game. I try to maintain positive thoughts as much as possible and have the memory of a goldfish when I am playing. I think these two things help calm my nerves and allow me to have better control of my game when I play.”
Do you ever feel burnout in the season? If yes, how do you manage this?
“I definitely have felt burnout during basketball just because the length of the season is so long. I don’t think there are many other ways to manage burnout than just having a positive outlook on the future of the season and appreciating the moments you are getting to play!”
Describe your favorite moment with the team.
“I don’t think I could pick a singular favorite moment with the team, but instead I enjoy the little ones, like laughing at practice, making a great play on the court, and team bus ride sing-a-longs.”
Who is your biggest motivator or role model, and why?
“I think my biggest motivators and role models are my parents. This is because they are always so supportive of whatever I am doing, especially on and off the court. I think they are also the ones that taught me how to love working hard for something, such as dedicating time to getting better at the sport.”
If you could change one thing about basketball, what would it be?
“If I could change one rule of the sport, I would say that, in high school girls basketball, I would ban the refs from telling me to tuck my shirt in, as I get warned about it at least five times a game yet it continues to untuck.”
What song represents your team, and why?
“If our team was a song, I would say we would have to be “Waka Waka” by Shakira since that is one of our team’s pre-game hype songs!”
What are your thoughts on the new coaches?
“I think our new coaches have been great for our team this season! Not only are they passionate about the sport, but they really care about our team and us as people which is an amazing feeling to have as a player.”
If your team was a movie, what would the title be?
“If the team was a movie, the title would be “The Funky Bunch” because our coach calls us that.”
