12/13/2024
Olivia Simser Hits 1,000 Varsity Career Points
In a remarkable display of skill and perseverance, Olivia Simser has reached a significant milestone in her high school basketball career by scoring her 1,000th varsity point. This achievement is a testament to her dedication and hard work over the years.
Reflecting on her journey, Simser shared, “If I ever make a mistake, just forget about it and move on to the next play. Whatever happened before doesn’t matter. It’s important to me because I’ve worked so hard for so long to be the best basketball player I can be.”
Simser’s success is not just her own; she credits the many people who have supported her along the way. “The people who have helped me throughout this journey, it feels like an accomplishment for both me and them. Every coach I’ve had has given me great advice and helped me tremendously in my mission to become the best basketball player I can be.”
She fondly remembers her coaches: “First, I had Bob Bice from Hermon as my varsity coach for the first two years, and my assistant coach, Greg Caller, was always supportive of me. Steve Morrow coached me during my junior year and did a fantastic job with our team, helping us improve and have a great season. It was so much fun having Morrow as a coach.
Now, with Sam Dumont, he has helped ease my transition to this basketball team. It helps that the girls are all super nice, and he’s a great coach. Lastly, my dad, who is actually my travel ball coach, has taught me 95% of what I know. Big shout out to him for always being there for me.”
The momentous shot that brought her to this milestone was a fast break layup. “My 1,000th point shot was off a fast break layup. Chloe LaBelle passed it to me on the left side,” Simser recounted. “My left side isn’t my strong side. I wasn’t thinking too much; it was just a regular layup for me. I was just playing the ball."
The excitement of the moment was memorable. “I was so excited, oh my goodness! The nerves and any unsettled feelings I had completely went away. It was just a normal game." said Simser. "Everyone was happy for me. It made it that much easier to keep playing the game, doing what I do."
Simser's journey to this milestone has not been without its challenges. Balancing academics, training, and personal life required discipline and time management.
Her resilience and ability to stay focused on her goals have been key factors in her success, inspiring her teammates and younger athletes in her community.
Olivia concluded with a piece of advice: "Just keep going. Work as hard as you can. The effort really does pay off. Anything extra you can do, whether it's practicing sports or dribbling in the house-even if your parents might yell at you-it will pay off in the end. No one can tell you otherwise, as long as you try your hardest and keep moving forward."
Photo 1: Provided
Photo 2 and 3: Eli Legault
