When Avery Kennedy (12) first walked into the gym as a freshman, she blended into the crowd of upperclassmen. Now, four years later, she walks in as the only senior on the team.
The shift didn’t happen overnight. Teammates from her grade gradually stopped returning each season, until Kennedy was the last one still lacing up her shoes before practice. She has grown from one of many into a leader whose voice guides her younger teammates.
“It’s kind of fun because I feel like I get to be a role model for the younger girls,” Kennedy said.
However, Kennedy’s basketball journey didn’t start in high school. Growing up, she watched her brother play and she spent plenty of time around basketball. Watching the game with her family sparked her interest.
“I started when I was a kid. I played rec league because my brother played basketball, and I would always watch it with my dad,” Kennedy said. “I started freshman year, just because I heard that it was a great program, like the people you meet and the traditions. I think that really is what really kept me through.”
As the number of teammates in her class shrank, Kennedy became a steady leader through her consistency, showcasing positivity and setting an example.
“Seeing less people each year from my grade I feel like has forced me to step up,” Kennedy said. “I’m sticking out and I need to be a positive influence for the young girls that also stick it out.”
Having a well connected team is extremely important to Kennedy, especially beyond the game in all of the team bonding opportunities.
“We do team dinners or brunches every week,” Kennedy said. “We also have a bigs and littles program, and I feel like it’s a super fun program because everyone’s connected whether you’re a senior or freshman.”
Her favorite memories are found in the small moments beyond the scoreboard in her friends and coaches.
“My coach texted me on our bus ride home and said if you get the whole bus to sing ‘Party in the USA’, he’ll give me 10 bucks,” Kennedy said. “It took like four tries, but I got everyone to do it.”
Whether she’s on the court or on the bench, Kennedy makes her presence known through constant encouragement, bringing the positivity to the entire team.
“Bench energy is a big thing,” Kennedy said. “We talk about motivating each other through that and just holding each other accountable.”
As her high school basketball career comes to a close, Kennedy hopes to finish strong by leading with confidence and making the most of the time she has left on the court.
“I’m just looking forward to being less nervous and taking things less seriously,” Kennedy said. “Also just taking the shots and playing my last games with a lot of my close friends.”
