Athlete Spotlight
Michelle Swiec and Gavin Globensky have a few things in common.
First of all, they both play basketball for Greenbrier High School, where their performances have been the picture of poise under pressure.
Their shared court skills include sound fundamentals and great instincts on the floor. They each have a knack for getting their teammates involved in the action, and neither is concerned about grabbing the glory.
So when Swiec and Globensky earned Most Valuable Player honors for leading their teams to titles at the Columbia County Christmas Tournament, they expressed a common response.
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They were surprised to garner individual awards, and proud of their team's championship runs. "The way our team played, MVP could have gone to any of our guys that were on the court," Globensky said.
For Swiec, the Christmas event was like a coming-out party. The Lady Wolfpack freshman was an accomplished middle-school player, but she was a little unsure about moving up to the high-school hardwood.
"I'm thankful I made the team," Swiec said. "Hopefully I'll keep going through my senior year."
Swiec easily made the team, and it seems that the sky's the limit for Greenbrier's starting point guard.
"She's by far the best freshman I've ever coached in basketball. She's already our floor general. She doesn't get rattled out there," Lady Pack coach Garrett Black said. "I think she could be one of the best girls' basketball players to come out of Columbia County before she's through."
Swiec has honed her ability by playing AAU basketball, and despite her early impact at the prep level, the quest for excellence leaves no time for rest.
"I think I could do a little bit better," she said. "I need to work on my ball-handling and my shooting, and I need to drive to the basket more. My goal is to just try to play the best I can."
Globensky is a two-sport standout at Greenbrier. His size and agility make him dangerous in soccer, and his aggressive play at the post position stands out on the basketball court.
The primary focus for the junior is leading the Pack to victories. "I'm not one who is going to key in on scoring. I'm just trying to help everyone else get their jobs done," he said. "Our goal is typical of any team. You're going to try to win, and have fun while your doing it."
Don't let the word "fun" fool you. According to Greenbrier coach Casey Dees, Globensky is distinguished by his strong work ethic, not an MVP trophy.
"He's probably the ultimate team player," Dees said. "He does so many things well, it makes the entire team better. He has all the intangibles, but the biggest thing with Gavin is his leadership ability. He gets his teammates ready to play, and they respond well to him."