It runs in the family. It’s her turn to follow in her parents footsteps. As just a freshman, Kenya Oliver stepped up to become the starting point guard and captain for the girls basketball team. One year later, as the season rolls around, it’s time for her to step up again and become a more confident leader.

As a sophomore, Oliver knows holding a captain position is rare, especially on a varsity team, but because of the continuous change in the basketball program, it’s important for someone to step up and take on that leadership role.

“We don’t designate captains,” she said. “It was just a decision that I needed to step up.”

Starting as a freshman showed her how to be a part of the team, but sometimes the pressure of being so young showed through.

Receiving the opportunity to start “taught me how to lead a team and how to be there for everyone,” Oliver said. “Sometimes it’s a lot of pressure..but overall it was just a learning experience.

“She works hard and is always doing things on and off the court to help her game,” Tozer-Rich said. “She’s still young, so she has time to grow into her role as a leader.”

This season, the team has a new head coach, Eric Dawson. This is a new change for the team as previous coaches have been female. However, Oliver believes this will be a positive change for the program.

“Having a male coach will be better for us because it will be a good balance for the girls team,” she said. “He works really with us and loves us and we love him.”

For her, it’s all about seeing the team’s success.

“I like seeing other people do well, I get so much more hype,” Oliver said.  “If I do good, I just keep it in my head, but if someone else does good you’ll hear me.”

Update: The girls are off to winning start with a 3-2 record as of Dec. 1

For the for basketball schedule, click here.

Photos courtesy of Kenya Oliver