Freshman Jaida Rainey makes varsity basketball team
Rainey looks for an opportunity to get the ball during a game against Basic HS.
March 1, 2023
Jaida Rainey did not expect her first year of high school at Silverado to be going as great as it has been. So far, the highlight of her high school career is making the Varsity Basketball team.
Rainey did not envision making the Varsity Basketball team as a freshman. She plays as #13. She played basketball during her days in eighth grade. However, she never received sufficient playing time.
“I didn’t even think I was going to make the team this year because I barely played in eighth grade,” Rainey said.
Rainey has been playing basketball since she was around five years old. Her motivation for playing all these years has been, and “always will be” her father.
“My father has taught me everything I know about sports. He’s also the reason why I’m still in sports today,” she said.
Rainey’s apotheosis of the season was the “game against Moapa Valley because I scored the winning shot,” she said. The score ended up being 41-40 on Dec. 9.
Basketball is not the only sport Rainey has played this year. She also played volleyball during the fall. However, volleyball season didn’t go as she anticipated.
Rainey injured her foot during the first week of volleyball practice, which caused her to be unavailable to play for almost the rest of the season.
Rainey did not let the injury affect her motivation toward playing sports. In fact, It became an incentive rather than a deterrent for her.
“My injury made me realize how much I really wanted to play,” Rainey said.
Rainey plans on taking basketball further after high school. Her intention for college is to study sports medicine. If she gets a scholarship, the ideal college that she wants to attend is Yukon University.
Rainey is thankful for her coaches and how much they have helped her grow as a basketball player.
“I am especially grateful for my JV coach, Michael McCaskill,” Rainey said. “He reminds me of my dad and goes hard on me because he wants to push me.”
Although the team left the season with a record of 12-15, Rainey is still looking forward to next season.
