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02/10/2015 11:00 PMWhen the Guilford girls' basketball team headed into this season, expectations were unclear as the Indians had lost several key players from last year. However, junior Sam Shank has been pleasantly surprised with her squad's accomplishments thus far.
"We're doing really well," says Sam. "I think we've surprised ourselves and everyone else, but we have so much heart and work so well together that I think we'll only get better throughout the season."
With just one senior and two freshmen playing at the varsity level, Sam says her team's goals from the outset were to work together and give 100 percent. The Indians' efforts have paid off as they have qualified for both the state and SCC tournaments.
"We're still giving it our all, but no matter how good the team is, it's anyone's night," Sam says. "Whoever plays the hardest and whoever wants it more will win."
While Sam is pleased with the season to date and is looking forward to see how far the Indians can go, she is also glad that she still has her senior year upcoming.
"Senior Night was [Feb. 6] and I'm so grateful I'm not there yet because I'll really miss it," says Sam. "I'm really glad I have the rest of this season and next year to finish what I've started and continue to improve my skills."
Indians' Coach Bob Welsh has seen Sam's progress firsthand and notes that she's averaging five to six rebounds and multiple steals a game to complement her five points per night as a key substitute.
"Her contributions aren't always captured on the stat sheets, but if you are a student of the game, it's easy to see what she brings every day to make us better," says Welsh. "Sam is my 'sixth man' and has completely bought into the concept of coming off the bench and doing whatever is necessary for the good of the team. Sammy plays with grit and determination. She can step on the floor and hit a big shot or she can stymie the opponent's best offensive player with her defensive tenacity."
Sam began with basketball with the town's rec league in 1st grade, started playing travel in 4th grade, and added AAU and the middle school team in 7th grade. She started seeing time on varsity as a sophomore, a transition eased by playing alongside her twin sister Meredith, as well as other friends.
"We work really well together and we know each other's strengths and weaknesses and where we're going to be on the court," says Sam. "I've played with a lot of the girls over the years and, once basketball season starts and you're together every day, you form a really good bond."
In addition to basketball, Sam played soccer growing up, but she decided to give volleyball a try in 7th grade-another sport she shares with her sister. Sam continued to play when she got to high school, gaining a spot with the varsity team as a sophomore.
"I'm the libero, the digger, and it's so much fun being able to get up a really hard spike from the other team," says Sam. "Volleyball is really team-oriented, which I love."
Sam can't quite choose a favorite sport and so she simply focuses on whatever season she's in. She continues basketball with an AAU team in the spring and a summer league with her high school teammates.
Sam credits her AAU coaches, her high school volleyball and basketball coaches, and her family for their influence and support. Her parents and her older brother attend every game.
"My parents and my brother are big supporters of me and my sister," says Sam, who also is the treasurer of the junior class and a member of the Pilgrim Fellowship. "I've been really lucky to have such great coaches over the past few years."
Looking at the future, Sam knows she wants to attend college, but isn't sure what she wants to study. While she isn't actively pursuing a sport at the college level, she would consider the opportunity if it comes up. For now, though, Sam is looking forward to the remainder of this season and her senior year.
"We're only losing one senior next year so everyone else will come back," says Sam. "We want to improve our record and I personally would like to improve on my scoring. Next year, we'll be a lot better with a lot more experience."