WESTLOCK – Anna Ewasiw has been honing her skills on the basketball court for the past five years driven by a passion inspired by her older brother Ben Ewasiw’s own love for the game.
“The adrenaline rush you can get when it’s a really close game,” Anna says is what she loves best about basketball.
That dedication is taking her to B.C. with her team, Edmonton Altitude, to the BBall Nationals, formerly NCBC, in Langley from July 26 – 29.
Balancing practices and games, Anna finds the commitment “the perfect amount to always keep me busy.”
She says that keeping up her confidence after making mistakes can be challenging but to prepare for the finals in B. C., she has had regular practices and tournaments since March.
“The past two weeks I have had four long practices to prepare,” she added.
Heading into the competitions requires a focused mindset.
“It takes a lot of focus,” she said. “Right now you just have to think that it’s going to be hard competition but I’m also on a very good team.”
While winning is the sought after outcome, Anna says her primary goal is to give it her all alongside her team.
“It would be really nice to win but I just want my team and I to be putting 110 per cent in and making every game a battle against my team.”
Headed into Grade 10 in Westlock in September, Anna aspires to play at university level, adding, “but you never know if plans change.”
She attributes much of her success to her mother’s unwavering support and the opportunities provided to her by her coach in Edmonton.
“I’m just very thankful for my mom’s dedication and thankful for the opportunities I got due to my city coach,” she said.
