Sam Trant is This Week's Whiz Kid

Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week 

• Sam Trant, 16
• Accomplishment: Trant averaged 15 points for the Spartans during the 2012 campaign. The team finished 12-9 and made it to the second round of the State tournament.

Key to Awesomeness: Trant traded off at the shooting and point guard positions for the Spartans this season and her success arose from past alumni that graduated from Stoneham.

“I remember watching from the bench as we won the Middlesex League title two years ago and as the players enjoyed a victory no sweeter than anything imagined,” Trant said. “Even since, all I’ve wanted to accomplish was to help bring that same amazing feeling to both the community and my teammates.”

Going into the season, Trant knew she had much to work on after following a heartbreaking loss to St. Mary’s last season. She added that her motivation was increased to a maximum level.

“I took whatever chance I had to increase my skills,” Trant said. “I enrolled in the AAU team called Mass Lady Warriors that played all over the northeast in college showcases. My improvement I would have to attribute to my AAU experience which really taught me how to play at the next level.”

Trant played hero in the Spartans first tournament game versus Lynnfield, sinking four three throws to help put the game out of reach.

“My first thought as I was approaching the free throw line with the game on the line was don’t freak out,” Trant said. “I knew I was capable of making them because after every drill in practice Coach Mills would make us take free throws so we were making them when we were most tired.”

Trant tried to silence the crowd and her surroundings to concentrate on her and the hoop with just seconds remaining.

“With the confidence of my coach and teammates I was able to hit the free throws to close the game out,” Trant said. “I was just able to relax.”

Trant looked back on the season admitting it was so special because the Spartans were the “unexpected team” after losing many key parts from their 2011 team.

“No one this year expected anything from us and people were saying we were young and inexperienced, but that didn’t matter to us,” Trant said. “We rallied together around that very message of being the underdogs and put together a memorable season.

“That is what made this season so magical is that we were able to not only play basketball, but bring sense of community to our school.”

Trant and the Spartans will look to improve on their 2012 season next year and with more experience, the Spartans could make a deeper run in the State tournament.