Emily McDowell is a junior on the Struthers High School girls basketball team. She has multiple positions: point guard, guard, center and “big.” She has been playing since the third grade, or in other words, the past nine years.
The best part of basketball for McDowell is the community it gives her. The team feels like a family to her. Seeing the team outside of the sport is such an added bonus for her. The worst part of it for her has to be long practices when she’s not her hundred percent. Being injured or sick during a practice is always a hard time for her.
McDowell’s inspiration for this sport is her support system through her family, as well as her visible progression in the game.
“I think my parents are my biggest motivation to keep playing–they have supported me through everything–and I also think that continuing to get better also motivates me to continue playing,” says McDowell.
Having only a year left of basketball–or sports in general–is a surreal feeling for McDowell. Her entire life has been sports, so nearing their end in high school is a strange feeling. She has committed her time, energy, emotional health, physical health and mental wellbeing to do well in these sports.
McDowell played basketball at two separate high schools; the adjustment between the two was smooth sailing for her, but the difference is notable.
“The transition from Heartland to Struthers was fine. At Heartland we also had very low numbers, so I am used to running, and I try to stay in shape. I will say, however, that the coaching staff at Struthers is much more committed to the girls. Not only do they support us on the court during games, they support both at practice and after. They really want us to grow not only as players but as people too,” says McDowell.
Winning is a huge part of basketball for McDowell. She truly enjoys playing a game when they win, especially a close game. It’s an exhilarating feeling for her and the team to win; the time around the girls after the win is a phenomenal feeling for her. However, losing is the worst feeling in the world to McDowell. It highly upsets her because she constantly feels her and the team could have done better.
Her biggest achievement was being on the highest part of the team at the very beginning of high school.
“My biggest accomplishment for me personally in basketball was my freshman year. I started varsity and got to play with a few very good friends. We went farther in the tournaments than we were expected to, and it was just super fun to break lots of records with my friends at the time,” says McDowell.
McDowell is excited for her senior season; she’s ready to commit to all the senior activities. She’s also a little sad because a large era of her life is ending very soon. Her biggest goal for next year is to end with a winning record. McDowell is planning on attending college for a bachelors and attending medical school after. The plan is for her to go into the general surgery field. She does not plan on playing basketball during her high school career, but she will play softball.
