Vanessa Smart has been getting a lot of recognition lately so I asked her some questions to get to know her better. Vanessa Smart is a sophomore at Hueneme High and has been playing basketball since she was very young. She also has a high GPA with a 4.5 and has honor classes.

Q: How do you want your teammates to remember you?

A: “I just want my teammates to remember me as someone they enjoyed playing with.”

Q: Do you have a pre-game ritual that you do before every game? If so, why?

A: “No I don’t. Everyday, your body feels different when moving on the court, so I just do what I feel like I need to do to get going and warmed up that day.”

Q: What moment this season were you most proud of yourself?

A: “This season, I was most proud when we won our CIF division because I had been going to watch those games for a couple years and I was finally participating in it and was successful.”

Q: What do you think you have improved on this season?

A: “This season, I think I have improved on being a better and more vocal team leader.”

Q: Who is your role model? Who do you look up too? Why?

A: “My biggest role model that I look up to would have to be my dad because he has sacrificed so much to put me in a position to be successful.”

Q: How does it feel to have your dad as a coach?

A: “It can honestly be frustrating at times but I know I’m lucky to have him as a coach because he will always have my best interests at heart.”

Q: How does it feel to make it this far this season?

A: “I’m very proud of the whole team because everyone had to work hard for us to make it this far.”

Q: Why did you decide to play?

A: “I decided to play when I was younger because I enjoyed sports and especially basketball. Now, I see it as a way to hopefully get me to college.”

Q: What do you do in your free time?

A: “In my free time I really try to practice as much as possible because I believe that no matter who you are, there is always something  you can work to improve.”

Q: Who is your biggest supporter?

A: “My biggest supporter would have to be my entire family because they have gone through this journey with me every step of the way.”