GAME ON: The Player – Julia Smiley
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Q & A with Julia Smiley, North Kingstown Girl’s Basketball
What has been the biggest challenge being a high school athlete?
Having to say goodbye to past teammates and balancing dedications between sports, work, school, family and a social life. Most of all knowing there is no going back.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWho is your biggest motivator?
Music, my teammates and I. Soyria especially gets me going during the games.
Who is your biggest rival?
For basketball, Exeter-West Greenwich, but South Kingstown is always our team rival too. In lacrosse, it’s always Barrington.
What are you working to improve your game?
Putting my all in and not taking time off in games. I tend to sit back and watch but have been getting better about it. Taking advantage of every chance I have to play.
What is your greatest memory on the court?
Overtimes and games we never gave up. LaSalle and Westerly were great ones this year. On the field, overtime in the Barrington game for states my sophomore year.
How are you able to balance your schoolwork with practices, games, and training?
Gotten better with the juggling priorities over the past four years. School comes first with support from our coaches. You have to be time savvy to fit everything in that you want to do and obviously you have to make sacrifices. The positive feedback loop continues to grow, as you find more structure and control in other aspects of life, your game will also improve.
Where do you see yourself going from here, do you plan to pursue this sport in college?
To tell the truth that decision is the hardest to make and will determine where I end up next year. Basketball has always been what I did, and I can't picture myself putting down the ball. If I play next year I will be at RIC. On the other hand, lacrosse is a new love of mine and is more of an escape while basketball is more stressful. If I pursue lax I will probably end up at Virginia Wesleyan. Maybe I will play both sports? It would be a lot with both and my Pre Vet major but I can’t imagine my life without the structure keeping me busy that these sports have provided.
