By Cyanne Ito
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For many on the girls varsity and JV basketball teams, Senior Nayla Long is not only a leader, but a motivator as well.
“She’s a beast, she’s like one of my inspirations to play. I wish I could play like her, ’cause she’s one of the best players on our team,” said Senior Kapilialohaokekai Amamalin, one of Long’s teammates on the varsity team.
Long has been captain of the girls varsity basketball team for the past two years, and has been playing basketball since she was in sixth grade. “(She’s) very worthy of that title; we don’t just give that captain status to anyone. You can just see her rubbing off on the rest of the girls as well, and yeah I think she sets an excellent example for the other girls coming up from the JV team as to how hard you got to work to get to where you want to be,” said head coach Patrick Basilio.
Long had only played basketball once before signing up for the basketball team in sixth grade, which turned out to be a life-changing decision. “(In) middle school I heard an announcement that basketball was starting up, so I guess I should do something with my life, so I decided I’d go out for the team, and ever since then I loved the game so I stuck with it,” said Long.
From the start of her basketball career up until now, Long feels she has improved greatly. “In second grade I didn’t think I would be getting a full-ride scholarship to play basketball in college,” said Long, who has signed the scholarship with Charleston Southern University.
Her growth comes not only from the support she receives from her teammates and coaches, but from her father as well. “My dad, he’s my number one supporter. He pushes me. And if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Long.
Her effort in basketball is reflected in her schoolwork and friendships as well. “She’s always, you know, pushing to not only be good at her grades, but be great at her grades; she’s not satisfied with getting C’s and D’s and passing, she’s always pushing to be better, getting the A’s,” said Basilio. “She knows how to lead, but she knows how to be their friend too,” said Amamalin, continuing, “She knows the line between friendship and being a captain.”
After she graduates from MHS, Long plans to continue playing basketball in the women’s Division 1 at Charleston Southern University.
