Q&A with Girls Bball Senior Mariah Traywick

senior Mariah Traywick was identified at the beginning of the season by girls basketball head coach Jeff Rinehimer as one of the leaders of the Lady Rams squad. In her four years at Spring-Ford, she has seen much success, including a PAC-10 Championship appearance last year.

This year, Traywick has 89 points in 10 games (Hazelton game statistics were never reported by Hazelton). She has already committed to play basketball at Shippensburg University next year.

Traywick took some time this week to chat with LRSC Patch Editor Kevin Haslam about her Spring-Ford career, college and everything in between in this week's Q&A.

LRSC Patch: First, let's hear about your basketball career - how you got started, when you fell in love with the sport and when you realized you were good.

Mariah Traywick: I started playing when I was eight. I started to love it. My dad, my parents played, my brother plays. As a family, we love it, it's just something we all have done together. It's been my main sport. I've tried other ones but nothing compares to this.

Patch: And you've grown up in this area all of your life?

Traywick: Yes

Patch: Okay. So tell us about growing up here with your family and the support you've received.

Traywick: It's a really great area. I remember coming here when I was little, coming to camp here, it's a great atmosphere to grow up in. Everyone's really close. It's a big school, but you get to know all of the people and they help you grow. I know Mr. Rinehimer in my four years here has helped me tremendously to grow into a better person.

Patch: In your four years here, what would you say was the best overall performance you've had?

Traywick: My best and favorite was against Cheltenham when we won last year at The Hazelton Tournament. It was definitely one to remember. We haven't won a tournament up there since I've been here, so it was really exciting to do that and start off the season.

Patch: Was there ever a game where you didn't play so well and you took a lot from the game and learned a lot about yourself.

Traywick: Championship last year. It was definitely one I could have done a lot better in. This year, we just wanted to come back and get that title. I know I learned a lot from that game and now I can do more.

Patch: What's the college selection process like for you right now?

Traywick: I'm going to Shippensburg to play basketball.

Patch: So, what led to that decision and what are you looking forward to the most in playing with them?

Traywick: I went there and I visitied and loved the team and the coaches. I just loved the college atmosphere there. It reminds me a lot of Spring-Ford. I love this school and I love Ship.

Patch: That's pretty far out there, right?

Traywick: It's about two-and-a-half hours.

Patch: What's that going to be like for you? Leaving the nest and being out on your own. Are you excited for that?

Traywick: I'm excited. It's not too far and not too close. I can still come up, but not every weekend like some people can. It's worth it.

Patch: Have you decided on a major or career at this point?

Traywick: I'm going in undecided, but I think I'm going to major in business, like accounting or something.

Patch: Looking at the rest of the year, what matchup are you looking forward to the most to wrap up your senior season?

Traywick: There's no particular game. I just want all of us to go out as a team and play together and pull out a great season with a bunch of wins. Hopefully get to states, win PAC-10s. There's no guarantee, but we're going to see how we can do this.

Patch: Have you played with most of these girls for most of your career?

Traywick: Yes.

Patch: What can you say about that? Playing all these years with these girls and you guys are doing pretty good so far this season...

Traywick: I couldn't ask for a better team to go out with. We're so close. We're best friends on and off the court. We do everything together.

Patch: Are there any goals you'd like to fulfill on and off the court before you leave?

Traywick: I would love to make All-League. That's not necessarily going to happen. There are a lot of great girls out there, but I'm going to do as much as I can to get there.

Patch: If you could go back to your freshman year and talk to yourself, give yourself some pointers about getting to where you are now, what would they be?

Traywick: I would say to work harder and take things more seriously. I took it seriously, but I worked out after practice, but I should have been in the gym all the time. I should have been going as hard as I could and left it out all on the court.

Patch: Thanks so much Mariah and best of luck to you.