Junior Leah Dill is a basketball player who really came into her own this season for the Lady Golden Tigers.
“She started a few games as a freshman and then missed 22 days her sophomore year with Covid and quarantine,” said her coach Josh Fields. “This year she’s really matured and gained a lot of self-confidence as the season progressed and became a big part of what we do. We also had better guard play this year, so she was able to touch the ball more and started playing up to her potential. In our district game against Gans we were ahead by six when Leah went down with an ankle injury, and they came back and hammered us inside scoring 16 points in the last quarter to beat us without her in the lineup. She was named to the all-tournament teams for the LeFlore County tournament and our own CNIT tournament.”
In addition, Fields also asked Leah to take an upcoming freshman under her wing this year and help her learn some post moves and adjust to high school ball in preparation for a leadership role next year when Leah will be just one of two seniors on the team. Although she plays softball and cheers in addition to basketball, she says she likes being on the court best.
“I think basketball is just more exciting and it’s a contact sport so I can be physical whereas in softball you just have to wait around for the ball to come to you.”
Leah grew up watching her older brother Christian play basketball and he became a role model for her.
“He was like me in always being a little nervous. He didn’t get to play much until his junior year so when he did play, he gave it his all. He taught me most of my post moves and worked with me a lot. He and my dad along with my teammates are the folks who motivate me to get better,” said Dill who is also in student council.
Having good character is important not only for athletes but for everyone and Leah had some thoughts on building good character.
“You need to have a good attitude and be dependable and help teammates when they need it without being rude.”
She credits a lot of practice and early season scrimmages this year with gaining more self-confidence.
“I love scrimmages. They really helped me this year when I was just coming in off fast pitch and they got me going in the right direction.”
Leah Dill is a good example of what hard work and good character can do to help elevate an athlete to be more successful.
