Patricia Smith

DRIBBLING. Senior Emmah Crowe drives the ball to the hoop. Crowe loves the community and team aspect of the game. “Just finding a really big family, I gain 31 sisters every new season,” Crowe said.

Hearing the crowd’s cheers from all around her in the new varsity gym, Senior Emmah Crowe heads to the middle of the court preparing to win the jump ball for her teammates. She allows herself to be swept away by the atmosphere and adrenaline before focusing on the game head. She stabilizes her mind and body, then the whistle is blown.

Crowe makes it her goal every day to step on the court and give her coaches and teammates everything she has. She makes a point to keep her outside emotions and thinking separate from her court business. As soon as she is on the court whether for practice or a game, she is the captain keeping her team mentally and physically connected. She wants all the girls to feel together and connected on and off the court. Crowe believes that younger athletes should cherish the highs and the lows of high school.

“Live it up day by day it might seem tedious and tiring but you just have to remember it only lasts four years and it goes by extremely quickly,” Crowe said.

Crowe’s basketball journey was different from most high school girls. She was deprived of a JV season because the team was in desperate need of a starting varsity forward. So her progression as a player came from her inner fire. Crowe is consistent no matter her opponent. Coach Thompson believes that her footprint will be felt by this basketball program for many years after she has graduated.

“Emmah’s leadership is going to be felt by everyone,” Thompson said.

Crowe is described as a kind and funny soul as well as a great example for younger players on and off the court. Crowe’s grades and patience have motivated Junior Lupe Yamauchi to be a better person through her play on the court and attitude in the classroom. Yamauchi feels the energy Crowe brings with her as a leader.

“When she is on the court, balls to the walls man, we are always going at a fast pace and hustling because we see her hustling. We see her trying her best so we want to try our best as well,” Yamauchi said.

Crowe jumps feeling the leather of the basketball, brushing her fingertips as she flicks the ball towards her teammates. As her teammates dribble the ball down the court Crowe makes sure her voice is heard by all, ensuring they are united. Crowe sets a screen creating an open shot for her teammate to score the first points of the game.