Due to the current coronavirus situation and all sports being shut down, there are a lot of athletes who have had their senior seasons cut short. ENC Sports Review thought it would be nice to highlight some of these seniors as a small way to celebrate their senior year, since so much has been taken from them already. Today, we will highlight Northern Nash High School Senior Alexis Ricks. We thank Alexis for taking the time to sit down with ENC Sports Review and answer these questions for us. We had fun learning more about her and hope you will too!
How long have you been playing sports?
I have played softball for seven years and basketball for four years.
What teams have you been on? (This can be rec ball, middle school and high school)
I have played on the following softball teams: Nash County Rec, Red Oak Lady Phoenix (Travel Ball), Spirits Fastpitch (Travel Ball), Red Oak Middle School, and Northern Nash High School.
I have played on the following basketball teams : Red Oak Basketball League, Red Oak Middle School, and Northern Nash High School.
Who has been your favorite coach and what did he or she teach you that you carry with you through today?
Coach Greg Tharrington at Northern Nash High School taught me a valuable lesson. You cannot win games by yourself. It’s always a team effort. He has always believed in me and taught me to never give up. He will always be a tremendous role model in my life and I will forever be grateful to him and all he has done not only for me, but for all of the young ladies who are privileged to be a part of his team.
What is your favorite memory and least favorite memory of playing sports?
My favorite memory was when I was playing with the Spirits Travel Team. There was a play I did while playing second base. I dove for the ball, caught it and turned it into a double play. The coach on the opposing team told me good job and made me MVP for the game. I earned a medal the same day.
My least favorite memory was my 10th grade year. While playing during a high school game for Northern Nash, one of my teammates was up to bat. While hitting, the ball went foul into the dugout and I took a direct hit to the head. I ended up with a concussion and had to miss a couple of games before the doctor released me to play.
What is one thing or event that if you could do over again you would change?
If there was anything that I could change, it would be to believe in myself more. This really affected me during my 11th grade year facing Southern Nash. Bases were loaded, there were 2 outs, and I was up to bat. If I hit, we had the chance of coming back. Instead, I struck out. This game I learned a lot. If I could go back, I would go back up to the plate and believe in myself.
Who is someone you look up to and why?
My grandma is the one person who I look up to the most. She is one of the strongest people I know. She helped me a lot through high school and sports. She always believes in me and tells me how proud she is of me. Despite everything she has been through, she is always here to support me and she is that one listening ear I know I can always turn to for any and everything I am going through.
If you could go back 5 years and tell yourself something then that you know now what would it be?
If I could go back 5 years, I would tell myself to have more confidence. It’s not about hitting a home run. Just believing that you can make it to 1st base.
What is something you would tell someone trying to follow in your footsteps?
Try to have fun playing sports and be a team player. It’s not about yourself but about the team.
If you have played your last high school game, what is something that you will remember for the rest of your life?
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, I may not have the opportunity to experience the feeling of walking out onto that field for the last time. I would remember everything….especially getting somebody out and swinging my bat for the last time. Most of all, having fun with my teammates. They have all become like family to me. The thought of never putting on my cleats again, walking out on the field, hearing them calling my name at Senior Night, is devastating to know I may not be given this opportunity. For now, I will have to cherish the memories I have made that I will carry with me throughout my entire life.
Feel free to add anything that I might not have asked that people would like to know about your time playing sports or your future plans.
Softball was not just a sport to me. And even though I may not be given the opportunity to play my last high school game, the memories I made will never go away. As for my future plans, I am going to college to become a teacher. And, I would love to be able to have the opportunity to coach other young girls who have the same passion for the sport of softball as I do.
Thank you again, Alexis Ricks , for taking the time to be one of our 2020 senior spotlights. We wish you well on all of your future endeavors.
Attention 2020 Seniors: If you are interested in possibly being our next spotlight, please inbox us with a picture of you (head shot or action shot, or multiple pictures), your name, school, sports/positions played and answers to some or all of the questions above.
Note: All photographs have been contributed to this post from the senior’s family.
ENC Sports Review 