Get Your Head in the Game

BY: MALLORY J.

Gabbie King, sophomore, prepares for a game against Jamestown-Greeneview.

Sports are a common part of most student’s lives. However, not everybody plays the same sport, meaning that not everybody will treat a game the same way. West Jefferson High School student Gabbie King, a sophomore on the varsity girls basketball team, has shed some light on how she personally prepares for a game and deals with wins and losses.

As of December 18, 2018, the West Jefferson Girls varsity team has an overall record of 4-2 and a conference record of 2-2, the two losses gained from playing Jamestown-Greeneview High School and Mechanicsburg High School. All of these games, whether they were wins or losses, require preparation.

King has plenty of experience with basketball, playing for almost 14 years. People tend to look up to her because of this. “That’s probably the main thing I’m known for,” she said. “because I’ve been playing so much they look to me for advice and see if I can help them in any way possible.” This experience in the sport has given King time to understand how to best prepare for a game.

King said that she likes to, “envision what I’m going to do and how I’m going to beat them.” She tends to have two different sides when preparing for a game. She likes to listen to some upbeat music, getting “pumped up”. But also, she likes to be by herself and do some thinking. “I kind of separate myself a little bit just so I can think about everything and then join back with the group.” The way that King gets into her mindset stays the same, but may not always in a winning game.

After winning a game, she said, “We [the team] meet up in the weight room after a game so we cheer, get loud and get pumped up.” However, losses aren’t usually as exciting. “I try to have their backs as best as I can,” King recalls. “I go to each person individually, tell them what they did good, that they shouldn’t hang their heads.” Even when the team loses a game, King reminds to herself that it’s only one game in one season.

Overall, King has her eyes set on a winning season. With as long as she has been playing and how focused she is, the future seems bright for the girls varsity basketball team. A schedule of the remaining games can be found at the West Jefferson Athletics website. And in the wise words of Troy Bolton, “Just keep ya head in the game."