Athletes of the Week: Girls’ Basketball Captains

The locker room echoes with rowdy yelling and clanging as the girls’ varsity basketball team files out onto the court. Before taking their places, they huddle around senior captains Olivia Lei, Sammie Weaver and Ella Johnson, who lead the cheer. Basketball sneakers squeak against the polished wooden floor as the team’s starting five take their places for the tip off. Silence fills the gymnasium with players and fans awaiting the ref’s piercing whistle to signify the commence of the game. The whistle blows and the game is on. The Big Red girls run down the court and set up their offense. The ball moves from player to player as the team searches for an open shot.

For Lei, basketball started out as a family bonding experience with her father and brother. “I started playing when I was really young, just playing around with my brother and my dad,” Lei said. Her interest developed into a deep passion for the sport, and basketball continues to be something that connects her with her family. “I still shoot with my brother all the time, so a lot of things I am working on come from [him],” Lei added.

In Weaver’s case, basketball was a sport that she grew to love through the support of her father, who has never played before. “When I said I wanted to play basketball, he was very supportive and he got all his basketball books and started reading up on the sport,” Weaver said. To this day, her father maintains his support with a strong energy, even creating a cheer for her on the sidelines. “My dad’s thing was boxing out, so every time a shot goes up when he is on the sidelines he says ‘Sammie, Box Out!’”

Johnson’s history with basketball began as a recreational sport she participated in during the third or fourth grade. She recalled how first experiences with basketball were misleading, as her parents told her that the point of the game was to take the ball from her opponents. Johnson joked that she “would go up to little kids and rip it out of their hands.” She has grown much since then and basketball has become what she considers an integral facet of her time at Exeter. “It has definitely been a big part of my Exeter experience,” Johnson said.

This year, the team is exceptionally close with one another and the season is one that all of the captains look forward to. “I love being part of the team. I don’t play a fall sport, so I just get super excited for the basketball season,” Johnson said. “Scheduling, scrimmaging and pre-season every fall — getting to know all the girls… I have definitely developed relationships that are really meaningful.” Throughout their years at Exeter, the captains have developed lifelong relationships with each other and enjoy recalling memories from past times.

This season, the captains have put an emphasis on teamwork and have worked on laying the foundation for the seasons to come. Lei said, “One thing we really worked on this season was team unity and having a good dynamic.” Their emphasis on playing cohesively has noticeably improved their style of play. Weaver added, “I think that this year, we definitely play more as a team. In our previous years, our offense was getting the ball to our best player, hoping that they would score whereas now, everyone is touching the ball on every offensive possession, using the skills of every player, and running the plays.” Their style of play has allowed younger players on the team to step up and contribute during games. “In the past, it’s usually the PGs or the seniors that are scoring, whereas this year, the majority of our points are coming from underclassmen,” she elaborated.

Aside from team unity, the captains have also strived to implement a good reputation for the team and its players.“As a team captain, you’re not only representing the team, you’re representing the school,” Weather said. “Leading our teammates in sportsmanship and having a positive attitude in games is important.”

The captains stressed the importance of this season and how it will serve as the foundation for future teams. There have been three different coaches in the past four years but, now, with new leadership, Coach Camilus, they hope to set a strong first impression. “This is a building year for our team. What the record doesn’t show is the work that we’re putting in or the development that you’ve seen in the program.” Johnson said. “The hope that Coach Camilus will be coaching for the next few years is huge for the team in building up a culture that we want women’s basketball players to [experience]. I think…the whole team will play a big role in helping that culture develop.”

The captains’ positive mindsets and energy that they bring to both practices and games has not gone unnoticed. Their enthusiasm for the game and their supportive personalities have greatly influenced the team so far this season. Prep Erin McCann said, “They’re very kind and open. They’re always cheering on the team. It’s a positive atmosphere. They’re all really good players and they work really hard in practice.”

Lower Eva Carchidi shared similar sentiments, recognizing the strengths of each of the individual captains.“Ella is good at pointing out what we need to work on while being supportive and she’s good at communicating with coaches, Olivia is super nice and a natural leader and cares of each player’s well being and Sammie sets an example by working really hard and helping people out when they’re struggling.”

The captains have greatly impacted this team and will definitely miss it as their final Exeter season comes to a close.