Sports
Minishi Fills Key Roles For Two Teams
Two-sport athlete Diana Minishi saw herself as more of a leader during basketball season and looks to continue this spring during softball season.
In her second year as a varsity basketball player Diana Minishi stepped into a new role and helped lead the Huskies into the playoffs.
As one of the team’s three co-captains Minishi took it upon herself to be an extension of her head coach on the hardwood and to guide a young team both on and off of the court.
“The girls look at me as a senior for comfort and support,” Minishi said. “It is my job to pick them up when they are down and when something is wrong I take the time to ask what’s going on. The younger girls respect me more and I have the same respect for them.”
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This season Minishi not only saw her responsibilities increase as a mentor, but she enjoyed a larger role on the court as well. Coaches used the senior guard as a starter sometimes and to provide a spark off of the bench at others. On the floor her shooting ability and ball handling skills made her an important part of the team's success. Most importantly her outside shot forced opponents to stretch their defenses to account for her.
After to Pearl River in the Section 1 playoffs, Minishi turns her attention to the spring softball season. Last year Minishi spent the majority of the year sharing playing time in left field, this year she is hopes that entering the season in good shape will earn her more playing time.
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“Basketball got me in pretty good shape with all the running, after the season ended I try and keep that shape by using an elliptical and a simple ab workout,” Minishi said. “Also I will be attending batting every Tuesday night until softball starts.”
Already Minishi’s teammates are noticing that she has become more of a vocal leader in the preseason workouts and practices.
“She makes sure we are all together as a team and that we work hard,” said Alex Scapperotti, a junior basketball and softball player.
As a senior each season means more to Minishi because they will be her last at Harrison, but already she is looking forward to her next challenge in college. Minishi said she doesn't expect to play varsity sports in college, and hasn't picked a school yet, but Harrison athletics will miss her leadership and talents next year.
Best of luck and continued success to Diana Minishi, Harrison Patch’s athlete of the week.
