Featured Athlete: Samantha Daniels

Audrey McCaffity, Staff Writer • January 22, 2021

Freshmen Samantha Daniels is the only freshman on the varsity girls basketball team. Daniels has 24 rebounds and two charges this season.

Samantha Daniels is the only freshman on the girls varsity basketball team. In her first game, she recorded a double double, and as the season has progressed, she has continued to look to improve.

Pre-Game:

Favorite Song: “Don’t Stop Me Now”

Favorite pre-game meal: peanut butter and jelly sandwich and an apple

Favorite movie: “The Joker”

Post-Game:

The Red Ledger: When did you start playing basketball?

Samantha Daniels: I started playing basketball in second grade because my parents did not want to pay money for me to continue gymnastics.

TRL: What is your favorite memory playing basketball?

SD: On one of my old teams, we had this girl who was in the grade below us but was super big and strong. One time, after one of our games, the other team said that we had cheated because we were playing with a girl a year older.

TRL: How does it feel being the only freshman on varsity?

SD: Sometimes it feels great like I can compete and make myself better. Other times, it feels like everyone has more experience than me, and I have to work twice as hard to get to the same spot.

TRL: How have you handled the jump from middle school basketball to varsity basketball?

SD: I try to keep my head up and play like I know I can.

TRL: Do you play any other sports?

SD: I tried out for volleyball and didn’t make it, but I still have hope for next year.

TRL: What are your goals for the future?

SD: I want to improve my basketball skills and keep up with my school work.

TRL: What is your biggest motivation?

SD: [I try to] remember how it feels when you win, and you accomplish the thing you’ve been working hard on.

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About the Contributors

Audrey McCaffity, Section Editor

Beginning her fourth and final year on staff, Audrey McCaffity is more than excited to take on the role of Community Editor. The past four years have been filled with challenges, but TRL has been one constant to look forward to even on the hardest days. McCaffity dedicated lots of time to the varsity basketball team over the past three years and can’t wait to end on a good note her senior season. With the stress of college applications taking up much of her summer, McCaffity looks forward to being back in the stands at a football game wearing her leopard gear and surrounded by her favorite people. If she has learned one thing over her high school career, it is to always plan something to look forward to. McCaffity is determined to make her senior year the best of her high school experience.

Olivia Lauter, Section Editor

Heading into her fourth and final year in TRL, senior Olivia Lauter could not be more thrilled to soak up every last minute of shooting sports, events and portraits for her favorite publication. Lauter has spent every day of her high school career with a camera around her neck, and you won’t catch her without it until graduation day. As well as being the photo editor for TRL, Lauter is a varsity cheerleader and involved in PALS and NHS. When she’s not on the sidelines with her camera or cheering on the Leopards, Lauter is with her friends, who she adores more than life itself. You will probably hear “last time, best time” and how “bittersweet” senior year is continually from Lauter this year, but she is just excited to spend one more year doing what she loves alongside the people she loves on TRL.