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Holton hoping to create a buzz with Hornets
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
COLUMBIA — Stephanie Holton wants to create a buzz with the Shenandoah Hornets.
Holton was a standout basketball player at Columbia High School. The recent graduate, who was up for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, is a two-time Washington Daily News’ All-Area selection.
She averaged 18.1 points per game as a senior and 16.0 points per game as a junior with the Wildcats.
Holton is ready to take the next step in her academic and athletic career.
“As of right now I’m both (excited and nervous),” Holton said. “I’m extremely excited about being able to play at the next level and getting the chance to become a better ball player but, at the same time, I’m nervous because college basketball is way different then high school. It’s going to be real interesting.”
Holton, who was also a star volleyball player at Columbia, chose Shenandoah University, located in Winchester, Va., over Guilford.
“I really liked the coach (Michelle Guyant-Holloway) from the get-go,” Holton said. “She was genuine, caring, dedicated (and) someone who is a great leader.
“Also, when I got to meet the team, they made me feel so comfortable and right at home. They were really nice and helpful when I asked about the college and its basketball program. The input they gave me coming from a player’s point of view really helped me get a good picture.”
An all-around solid performer on the hardwood, Holton is hoping to help her new team build on last year’s 17-9 record from a year ago. She thinks the Hornets, a member of the USA South Conference, will be “solid” this year.
“They had a good season last year and only lost a few players,” said Holton, who plans to study nursing. “There is a good lineup of freshmen coming in and, combined with the girls returning, we should be pretty strong.”
Holton, last year’s Tideland Conference Player of the Year, scored over 1,200 points in her high school career. She’s hoping to make an immediate impact at the college level.
“Of course, I’m setting my main goal to work up to being one of the starters,” said Holton, who enjoys following the professional careers of Alana Beard and Monique Curry. “But I am really going to work to improve my defense and ball handling.
“I plan to go onto the team as a guard but, if I’m needed to play at another position, that will just be something else to look forward to since it’s all a learning experience. With all the girls on the team, even if I don’t start I plan to be very encouraging for the rest of the girls. I just want to be there and be able to do what’s best for the team. After all, you have to have team work to win the games.”
Holton said she’ll do whatever she can to help the Hornets this season.
“I think (I’m) a good team player and a well-rounded player,” Holton said. “I’m able cheer the team on, giving them the support they need and encouraging them, even if we happen to be losing. Also, I’m able to play whatever position the coach needs me at.”
Holton can thank her brother, Evan, for helping her land a spot on a college basketball team.
“My brother was an important part of me playing basketball,” she said. “He is younger than me, but taller. He would go out and play against me, pushing me to do better. I knew if I could play against him when he was constantly blocking my shots, and being able to eventually beat him, that it would be no problem facing girls on the court.”
Holton also credits her parents, Phil and Linda Holton, for helping her succeed.
“They were both extremely supportive to me throughout my whole high school career,” she said. “They were the ones who sent me to all the camps I attended to help me get better. Without my dad I probably would have no idea how to play basketball. He taught me everything I know about the sport and it’s because of him that I love it. He pushed me to be my best, and now I’m playing college basketball.
“They both would always be at every game I played. I could always hear my mom cheering on the sidelines and calming me down when I got frustrated. She kept my stats for every game and, afterwards, my dad would look at them and break down the game, telling me things I did wrong and what I need to work on. I just really appreciate all they did for me and all the support they gave me.”
Holton made things look easy at Columbia. She knows she’ll have to work hard as soon as she steps on the Shenandoah University basketball court.
“Honestly, it’s going to start off pretty hard,” she said. “I’m so used to being one of the better players and people relying on me to score that wining shot, but now I'll be playing with girls who are not only as good as me, but way better. It will be a learning process.
“There are a lot of areas that I can improve on. The coach and team will be instrumental in developing me into a well-rounded player. I feel I have skills that have yet to be tapped into and I look forward to the next four years.”
Holton was a standout basketball player at Columbia High School. The recent graduate, who was up for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, is a two-time Washington Daily News’ All-Area selection.
She averaged 18.1 points per game as a senior and 16.0 points per game as a junior with the Wildcats.
Holton is ready to take the next step in her academic and athletic career.
“As of right now I’m both (excited and nervous),” Holton said. “I’m extremely excited about being able to play at the next level and getting the chance to become a better ball player but, at the same time, I’m nervous because college basketball is way different then high school. It’s going to be real interesting.”
Holton, who was also a star volleyball player at Columbia, chose Shenandoah University, located in Winchester, Va., over Guilford.
“I really liked the coach (Michelle Guyant-Holloway) from the get-go,” Holton said. “She was genuine, caring, dedicated (and) someone who is a great leader.
“Also, when I got to meet the team, they made me feel so comfortable and right at home. They were really nice and helpful when I asked about the college and its basketball program. The input they gave me coming from a player’s point of view really helped me get a good picture.”
An all-around solid performer on the hardwood, Holton is hoping to help her new team build on last year’s 17-9 record from a year ago. She thinks the Hornets, a member of the USA South Conference, will be “solid” this year.
“They had a good season last year and only lost a few players,” said Holton, who plans to study nursing. “There is a good lineup of freshmen coming in and, combined with the girls returning, we should be pretty strong.”
Holton, last year’s Tideland Conference Player of the Year, scored over 1,200 points in her high school career. She’s hoping to make an immediate impact at the college level.
“Of course, I’m setting my main goal to work up to being one of the starters,” said Holton, who enjoys following the professional careers of Alana Beard and Monique Curry. “But I am really going to work to improve my defense and ball handling.
“I plan to go onto the team as a guard but, if I’m needed to play at another position, that will just be something else to look forward to since it’s all a learning experience. With all the girls on the team, even if I don’t start I plan to be very encouraging for the rest of the girls. I just want to be there and be able to do what’s best for the team. After all, you have to have team work to win the games.”
Holton said she’ll do whatever she can to help the Hornets this season.
“I think (I’m) a good team player and a well-rounded player,” Holton said. “I’m able cheer the team on, giving them the support they need and encouraging them, even if we happen to be losing. Also, I’m able to play whatever position the coach needs me at.”
Holton can thank her brother, Evan, for helping her land a spot on a college basketball team.
“My brother was an important part of me playing basketball,” she said. “He is younger than me, but taller. He would go out and play against me, pushing me to do better. I knew if I could play against him when he was constantly blocking my shots, and being able to eventually beat him, that it would be no problem facing girls on the court.”
Holton also credits her parents, Phil and Linda Holton, for helping her succeed.
“They were both extremely supportive to me throughout my whole high school career,” she said. “They were the ones who sent me to all the camps I attended to help me get better. Without my dad I probably would have no idea how to play basketball. He taught me everything I know about the sport and it’s because of him that I love it. He pushed me to be my best, and now I’m playing college basketball.
“They both would always be at every game I played. I could always hear my mom cheering on the sidelines and calming me down when I got frustrated. She kept my stats for every game and, afterwards, my dad would look at them and break down the game, telling me things I did wrong and what I need to work on. I just really appreciate all they did for me and all the support they gave me.”
Holton made things look easy at Columbia. She knows she’ll have to work hard as soon as she steps on the Shenandoah University basketball court.
“Honestly, it’s going to start off pretty hard,” she said. “I’m so used to being one of the better players and people relying on me to score that wining shot, but now I'll be playing with girls who are not only as good as me, but way better. It will be a learning process.
“There are a lot of areas that I can improve on. The coach and team will be instrumental in developing me into a well-rounded player. I feel I have skills that have yet to be tapped into and I look forward to the next four years.”
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