Player Profile: Lexey Shick – Union

D9Sports.com and EYT Media are doing a series of player profiles on returning high-school athletes this summer. The year in school listed by the athlete is the year the athlete is entering this fall.

LEXEY SHICK – Senior – Union

Daughter of: Becky Shick and Rocky Shick

Sports Played: Volleyball, Basketball and track & field

2015-16 Highlights: A standout basketball player, Lexey helped Union to the District 9 Class A playoffs and was named a third-team All American Awards & Engraving D9Sports.com All-District player. She averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 steals, 4.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. In track and field, Shick took 12th in the 200-meter dash in a time of 28.73 while also running a leg on the Golden Damsels 10th-place 4×100-meter relay team. She was also 15th in the long jump and competed in the 100-meter hurdles. Shick suffered an ACL injury in late spring playing AAU basketball and will miss the upcoming volleyball season but is hoping to be ready in time for basketball.

Post High School Goals: Shick plans to attend college and play basketball.

Q&A With Lexey Shick

D9Sports: Do you have a favorite sport, and if so why?
LS: Basketball is my favorite sport. I have always loved the game ever since I was younger when I first started to play. I know the game very well, and when I’m doing anything involving this sport, whether it’s coaching kids, playing for fun or with a team, I feel like I’m right where I should be.

D9: What is your best high-school related sports memory and why?
LS: My best memory would be last basketball season when we won our first playoff game against Smethport. That was a big win for us all. We had a lot of momentum going into that game, and the feeling afterward is something I will never forget and will remember forever. I was to strive in having that feeling I felt inside again in the future.

D9: Has there been a coach and/or teacher who has influenced you the most in your high-school career to this point, and if so, why?
LS: My volleyball, basketball and track coaches. They all push me harder every day because they tell me they know what I’m capable of doing. I just thank each and every one of them for pushing me to the limit and making me the athlete I am today and always believing in me.

D9: What do you like best about playing sports in high school?
LS: The bond I build with my teammates and coaches. Also, I love competition and competing with having the mindset to win and knowing what that feeling feels like inside.

D9: What is the hardest part about playing sports in high school?
LS: One of the hardest thing I would have to say would be making sure I keep my grades up. It does get frustrating at times when I have big tests or many assignments due the next day when getting home late from a game. But I always manage to find the time and do well.

D9: How much offseason work do you put into your sports?
LS: I do as much as I can. AAU really helps a lot with basketball for improving my skills. I have gone to camps before to try and learn new things to get better. I’m very dedicated with going to all my open gyms and summer leagues to get better not only for myself but as we while team. I do stuff on my own time like ball handling, form shooting or just shooting around, hitting a volleyball around to myself and just anything else I can think of that involves the sports I do. I also try to run as much as I can to stay in shape. As my coaches have always told me: It’s not what you do in the gym when the season starts, it’s what you have put in on your own time during the offseason that will really help you in the long run.

D9: What is your favorite subject in school?
LS: Chemisty

D9: What do you like to do for fun when you aren’t playing sports?
LS: I like to hangout with my friends and family.

D9: What are your goals for the upcoming school year both sports wise and academically?
LS :My biggest goals for sports this upcoming year is just to work hard to recover from my ACL injury that happened during an AAU tournament right at the beginning of summer. I won’t be able to play volleyball, but I still want to support my team through it all. It’s going to be hard watching, but I’m still going to cheer them on as if I was right there on the court with them. With all my hard work and dedication to get back on the court playing, I’m praying I can get back just in time for basketball season. I have a lot of goals I want to accomplish this year, especially because it’s my senior year. I’m not going to let this injury slow me down. I just have to be positive with this whole process. Finally, with track, I just want to do the best I can. I don’t know if I can do some of the events I’ve done previously, but I’m willing to try new things. Now, with academics, my goals is just to make sure my grades stay at an A average. I work hard in the classroom to achieve this, so there is really no time to slack, especially with being a member of NHS (National Honor Society) and third in my class.