Athlete of the issue: Aniese Palmore

Sintra MartinsStaff WriterSenior Aniese Palmore is a key contributor to the girls’ varsity basketball team. According to varsity coach Marty Verdugo, Palmore has been constantly bringing the effort that varsity needs.“[Palmore] is the player that the others consistently look to for scoring, defense and leadership both on and off the court,” Verdugo said.According to Verdugo, Palmore has that fight-hard quality, a quality found only in the greatest of players. This asset was especially noticeable in the team’s game against Culver City on Feb. 1.“Even though she had to sit out most of the first quarter, she still got 27 points while guarding Culver’s best player,” Verdugo said.The saying “practice makes perfect” is the epitome of Palmore’s success.“When we don’t have practice [at school], I usually go to the [YMCA]. My brother and I will play one-on-one. I’ll just work on my pull ups, jumpers and free-throws,” Palmore said.While to some it may sound more stressful than relaxing, Palmore says that her main way to de-stress is to shoot hoops.“[Basketball] lets me take my mind off of things like school and everything that’s going on. It keeps me focused,” Palmore said.When she is not pushing the ball up court, Palmore loves to spend time with her friends but even that sometimes involves basketball.“We either go to the movies or go shopping and sometimes we go to the [YMCA] and play basketball,” Palmore said.Palmore, a big Taylor Lautner fan, loves the movies Abduction and Breaking Dawn Part 1.“I’m a big fan of Twilight,” Palmore said.At home, Palmore has the support of her family to continue playing ball.“They are great supporters, they always come to my games and encourage me to work it on the weekends instead of just sitting in the house,” Palmore said. “I try to go to the gym with my brother whenever I can.”Palmore hasn’t yet been recruited for any college teams but she remains hopeful.“Hopefully I will soon. In the future I hope to be playing college basketball, but I’m not sure for what school yet,” Palmore said.It is evident that Palmore’s teammates admire her skill both on and off the court.“On the court she’s a great player. If we ever need to pick up the game, she’s usually our facilitator. She can just turn to a whole new level and it’s really cool,” senior Emily Duran said. “Off the court I love that girl to death.”Despite the continual adoration from her teammates, Palmore acknowledges that basketball is a team effort.“I guess you could say [I’ve been playing] pretty well,” Palmore said. “I just try to focus on our team and I do what I can to help us win.”smartins@thesamohi.com