A passion for basketball

CEDAR RAPIDS - In 10 years of basketball, Maddix Stovie has had plenty of experience on the court.

A sophomore at Xavier, Stovie also ran track for three years. For her, playing these two sports back-to-back has helped her performance in both.

In the summer, Stovie lifts every Tuesday and Thursday. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays she is in the gym practicing. Once school starts, her preparation for the back-to-back sports does not stop. Stovie still is in the gym practicing at open gym and lifting.

When winter comes around, basketball season starts. During the 2013-2014 season, Stovie had the opportunity to play on the sophomore team as a freshman. She started as a post and moved to wing. This year, Stovie plays on the sophomore team again and has played sparingly with the varsity team, scoring four points.

She is back playing post.

Stovie, who said her favorite sport is basketball, has had the opportunity become close with upperclassmen on her team and they have become more than girls she sees in the hallways at Xavier - they have become teammates and her second family.

'It's great to have upperclassmen you can look up to, that will coach you up and encourage you,” Stovie said.

There is pressure that comes when dressing for varsity. Stovie said she does not want to disappoint her teammates and coaches.

'Maddix is very coachable and not afraid to work hard and put in the time to get better,” Saints Coach Tom Lilly said. 'She can be as good as she wants based upon believing in herself and putting in the hard work that it will take. Her shooting has improved, but still has a ways to go with speeding it up.”

Playing basketball conditions Stovie from the upcoming track season, which starts right after basketball season ends. Stovie ran the 100-meter hurdles and 400 hurdles during the 2014 season on the varsity team.

Stovie finds players have to make a commitment to the team, have a heart for the game and find a balance between practice and school.