It’s not always the athletes who score the most points who become an integral part of the heart and soul of a team. Other players’ energy, team-first attitude, and positivity are just as important to the squad’s success. One of those players is sophomore Adina Rosen, a guard on the Foxes girls basketball team.
“Adina is an important part of our team’s foundation,” says coach Marty Matvey. “Without players like her, we cannot fully compete or come back in tough games. She also is one of our toughest players by a wide margin, works hard, and does everything with the team in mind. Adina always does what we ask of her, whether that’s diving for a loose ball, covering opponents’ best players, or guarding the post. She has enough energy and grit for the entire team and represents the definition of an unsung hero. She is very deserving of recognition.”
Early Start
Adina’s name means “gentle” or “mild,” yet the multisport athlete is anything but that when it comes to athletics. She probably inherited her competitive nature and love of sports from her athletic family, especially her father, who played baseball at the college level. Adina started playing softball when she was in preschool, and, last year as a freshman, was a starter in left field for the Foxes.
It was in first grade that she started playing basketball, and she continues to love that game as well. When comparing both sports, she says, “My favorite thing about basketball is how fast-moving and intense it is. The momentum can switch after one big stop on defense or a big bucket. Just because you are down by 10 points does not mean that you are out of the game, and if you are leading, that doesn’t mean you can take your foot off the gas.”
Adina says she has learned a lot of life lessons from being an athlete.
“Sports have taught me to keep your head up when things are not going well for you or your team,” says Adina, who is the cornerstone of the junior varsity team and is getting minutes on the court on varsity as well. “Another thing that I have learned is how to be a good teammate and to work hard for both yourself and your teammates.”
During the offseason, Adina worked on her own game by playing on the Lady Foxes’ summer and fall league teams.
“Overall, I think the team did really well in these games, and it was very beneficial,” Adina says of her offseason activities. “We were able to try new plays to see what would work for this season and improve on our weaknesses from last year. Each of the games challenged us in a different way, whether it was maintaining a lead going into the second half, or having to fight back from being down. Personally, I feel that these leagues gave me a chance to improve my weaknesses and helped me to feel more confident when I am on the court.”
Maintaining leads going into the second half, or coming from behind to win, is something Adina and her teammates have experienced many times this year. Their tenacity is indicative of the team’s growth from last season when the squad relied heavily on a number of freshmen and sophomores to fill varsity roles.
“Adina has been a consummate teammate and an incredibly coachable student-athlete from day one,” coach Matvey adds. “She is one of the players who keep the team glued together. I know with Adina’s determination that she will continue to push herself, the team, and the program.”