Interview with SHS Basketball Player Chloe Downing

Welcome back to the Winter Edition of Off the Reels! This week, I am featuring a young, but strong, athlete at Springboro. 

Meet SHS Basketball Player Chloe Downing…

Basketball story:

When Chloe and her brothers were younger, they often played basketball outside with their neighbors. This was where Chloe found her love for competing, and she was also inspired to play basketball by her parents who both played in high school and college. In second grade, Chloe officially started playing basketball, and she is currently competing in her sophomore season for the Panthers.

Chloe’s favorite basketball team:

The University of Connecticut women’s team!

Player Chloe looks up to:

Chloe’s favorite team is the UConn women’s team, so it is not surprising that the player she looks up to the most is Paige Bueckers of UConn. Bueckers is a sophomore guard with a long list of amazing accolades. But more important than these accomplishments, Chloe loves how hard Bueckers works, saying that she is “always willing to go the extra mile.” Chloe also admires that when Bueckers is not having a great game, she still supports her teammates and pushes them to do the same.

Chloe’s positions:

Chloe most often plays wing, but you can catch her all over the court playing wing, post, or guard.

Chloe’s favorite things about playing basketball for the Panthers:

Chloe’s favorite things about playing basketball for the Panthers are her teammates and the team’s culture. In her words, she loves “the connection and culture that we’re trying to build as a team.” The Panthers have a young team this year, so Chloe and her teammates are working hard to build a strong foundation that will support the team for years to come. One thing they are working on is truly supporting one another through trusting each other and being happy for each other.

Chloe’s pregame superstitions:

Chloe’s pregame routine is simple, yet unlike any that I’ve heard before! She eats a mini bag of M&M’s and listens to Adele. I never would have guessed it, but I love this unique ritual!

Chloe’s most unforgettable basketball memory:

Chloe and her eighth grade team competed in the GWOC championship, but her favorite memory was actually in the semifinals. The Panthers were the underdogs against a previously undefeated Wayne team.  Despite the odds, the team came together to win by more than ten points. She still plays with some of those teammates now; together, they play with a “keep going” mentality because of that game. 

How basketball has changed Chloe’s life off the court:

Off the court, basketball has primarily helped Chloe develop connections with people and build leadership skills. Not only does she value the connections with her teammates, but she has also found friendships with people from other schools because of basketball. Chloe translates her leadership skills off the court to assist her in school and life in general. Of leadership and always working to become a better leader, Chloe said,“it just defines me.”

Chloe’s future plans:

I know she’s only a sophomore, but I was still curious to see what Chloe was looking forward to after high school and if basketball was still in the picture. She wants to study education in college, and she is definitely open to continuing to play basketball. Chloe wants to play in college if the “love of the sport is still there, which hopefully it is.”

Chloe’s advice for basketball players/athletes:

From my brief conversation with Chloe, I have learned that she works hard, but has fun doing it. She wants other athletes to remember to look for the good parts and the fun parts of every moment in the sport.  She said, “if a game’s not going your way, you just gotta find the good out of it,” also noting that it will not only affect you, but it can also affect your team. 

Good luck to Chloe and the Panthers for the rest of the season!