By Ivy Knapp
Eliana Crowder is a sophomore at Grove and someone who truly represents what it means to be a student-athlete. She’s been playing basketball since fifth grade and shares how much Grove, and the game has meant to her.
“Grove is a great school and has wonderful teachers and coaches. The community is amazing, and I never would want to move schools,” Eliana shared.
As a guard, Eliana has found her place on the court and wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.
“I really enjoy being a guard,” she shared, adding that point guard is, in her opinion, the toughest position. “You usually start off all the plays and you are expected to handle the ball and all eyes are on you,” she added. After trying point a few times in middle school, she decided it definitely wasn’t for her.
When it comes to favorite places to play, Eliana keeps it close to home. “Our high school gym is my favorite,” she said. She also admits Jay has a nice gym too. Ultimately, nothing beats playing in front of the Grove crowd.
Eliana draws inspiration from the people around her rather than one single person. “A combination of all family, friends, and my team,” she explained.
She shared that everyone has overcome their own challenges, and it motivates me to overcome my own and get better. That mindset has been especially meaningful this season as she’s watched teammates like Rowan Geer and Sophie Green shine. Rowan’s comeback from an ACL injury and Sophie’s rapid improvement on varsity have both left a big impression on her.
Off the court, Eliana stays busy. She’s involved in Math Club, Heritage Club, Interact Club, and Character Counts. Her favorite subject is English because she enjoys the books and finds it easy. Her favorite teacher is Alisha Smith, who is really funny and makes math less awful.
Eliana loves the chemistry of her team most of all.
“My team is super supportive and will always cheer you on. They’re also really funny and just a great team to be around,” she explained. Whether she’s grabbing Chick-fil-A before a game or ice cream after, Eliana approaches basketball with balance, gratitude, and a lot of heart. After graduation, she hopes to go to college for pole vault and pursue her dream of becoming a marine biologist.
