AVA SWAFFORD – STILWELL LADY INDIANS
A two-time VYPE Top 100 pick, Stilwell’s Ava Swafford is ready to start her junior year as a standout for the Lady Indians on the basketball court. She averaged 10.3 points per game last year while leading the team in steals, assists and 3-point shooting percentage.
“Basketball makes me feel empowered and I can have fun playing the game I love and it feeds my fire to play to the best of my ability,” said the Lady Indians guard.
In addition to basketball, Ava also plays softball and runs track for Stilwell.
“I enjoy track because it brings out the competitive side of me and the desire to better myself. I enjoy softball because it’s mostly a mental game and I like to challenge myself when obstacles are in my way. And it’s fun when your teammates are like family.”
Speaking of overcoming obstacles, Ava is on the mend from a severe ankle injury she suffered last spring playing travel ball.
“I landed on the ankle wrong, and it shredded my ligaments and broke off some cartilage. The surgery was mentally and physically challenging. I couldn’t get out of bed or walk without feeling sick. It’s taken months of physical therapy to learn to walk again and be able to play, but I’d say right now I’m probably about 90 percent back to full strength.”
Two big factors that drive Ava to be successful are sacrificing for the good of the team and setting a good example for the next generation of Lady Indians.
“I think of myself as a kind Christian who can uplift others even if I’m struggling. It’s important that I don’t put myself first on the court. I would rather have eight assists and no points in a game as long as we win. I’m also driven by the children out there who watch me play and aspire to be like me one day. I also want to show the little girl inside of me that all the hours of training and tears she shed over the years haven’t been for nothing.”
Ava’s future goal is to get a scholarship to play a sport at the next level and be the first in her family to attend college.
“And I’d like to be remembered as the girl who defied the odds and pushed past obstacles and as someone who never gave up.”
