Grove High School point guard Sophie Green does not have to think long about why she loves playing for the Lady Ridgerunners.
“What I love most about my teammates is that whenever I get in my head, they always have a way to lift me up and focus on the good,” Green said. The junior varsity standout runs the offense, but she leans on the girls around her as much as they lean on her.
Green plays point guard, a position she embraces even when the pressure feels heavy. “I play point guard, and the toughest thing about playing point guard is I’m the one who controls the game and has the ball in my hands most of the game,” she said. Her speed is her biggest strength, but she is learning how to harness it. “My strength for the game is definitely speed but what I need to improve on the most is slow it down. I don’t always need to be fast.”
Teammates help her stay even-keeled. Green points to Rowan Geer as someone who models how to respond after a mistake. “Rowan Geer inspires me to keep going into the next play instead of hanging your head down after a mistake,” Green said. “Rowan Geer is the most vocal teammate I’ve ever had, and Anaiyah Darnell always keeps me laughing even when I’m in a bad mood.”
Representing Grove is personal for Green, who has grown up in the community. “Representing Grove is special to me because its where I’ve grown up, built relationships, and made memories,” she said. She also serves in student council and thrives in the classroom, where math stands out. “My favorite subject in school is math, Mrs. Deason was my favorite teacher ever she helped me learn so much.”
When she is not in the gym with the Lady Ridgerunners, she often is still working on her game. “Based on the weather, in my free time I usually go outside and practice some basketball,” Green said. Through it all, she leans on a simple lesson sports have given her. “Athletics has taught me that no matter what you must put in all your effort and to never give up.”
