6’2 sophomore reaches new heights with USA team

When it comes to basketball, Valencia Myers, a 6-foot-2 sophomore at Solon High School, has heightened her skill-level through the years. Myers often dreams about what she can do at the next level. Making the 2015 USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team in June 2015 was an important step in making those dreams reality.

Spending most of her summer days away from home, Myers admits, took some getting  used to; however, her teammates made the experience enjoyable. June 14-20th, Myers resided in Colorado for daily practices with the team and in Puebla Mexico June 21-29th for USA games. The national team finished the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Mexico with a 4-1 record, earning a bronze medal.

“We were always on the go, training and preparing for our game days,” Myers said. “Everyone on the team got along so well, and with the hard work and dedication we put in, we had some fun along the way [too].”

Playing on the USA team is much different from playing high school basketball for the Comets, Myers explained.

“During tryouts, I wasn’t just competing with people from my school; it was people from all over the country and we were all fighting for the same spot,” she said. “Even when we did basic drills, they were at a higher intensity, were more draining, and I could feel the level of competition even when we scrimmaged. On game nights in the main gym at Solon High School, we have some loud fans, but the noise from the stadium in Mexico, it felt like it would never end.”

The experience not only helped Myers grow physically, but also mentally in the way she prepares for games. Myers gets in a focused mindset by using music and reading her scouting report.

“I focus on contributing to my team,” Myers said. “Any way I can to come out with a win.”

Like most basketball players, Myers appreciates some of her traits on and off the court. She admits there are some qualities of hers that she can work on improving too, but she is focusing on getting better at the game she loves, the best way she knows how.

“I admire my dedication and drive,” Myers said. “And on the court I’m always aggressive because I’m extremely competitive and that’s how I learned to play; however, improvement wise I want to work on my leadership and having more confidence in my shot. Off the court, I am outgoing and love holding conversations with the people around me.”

Along the way, there have been many supporters watching Myers succeed. Even before trying out for the USA team, she mentioned the idea to several people.

Reactions were positive.

From friends to family to just people in the community, the support Myers receives motivates her on reaching her full potential.

“I felt extremely happy for my best friend on making the national team,” said Myers’ Solon Lady Comets teammate, Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell. “She works incredibly hard everyday and deserves it. To say I’ve helped her, played with her and motivated her as she molds into the player she is today is great, but the greatest thing of all is being by my best friend’s side as she accomplishes a remarkable goal, such as this one.”

However, through everyone supporting her, there is one person who has been there for her since the beginning.

“My mom is my biggest supporter because she puts in a lot of effort, dedication and tons of money for me to [play],” Myers said. “She [also] gives up her time and puts in a countless effort to make me better as a person.”

As she looks forward to her future in basketball, Myers recalls what Michael Jordan once said during his career, and a promise she will keep to herself.

“‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take,’” she said. “I’ll keep pushing myself no matter how tired I am, because quitting or slowing down isn’t an option.”