Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Avery Antonich, Havre basketball

With few sports to compete in during the summer, young athletes across the Hi-Line are doing whatever they can to keep themselves active. For young basketball players, some of them are attending the Skylights basketball camp at Armory Gymnasium this week.

Avery Antonich from Havre has been attending these camps the past few years and once again attended the Skylights camp this week. Every time she attends a camp, Antonich said, she learns something new.

"I've learned that attitude is a really important thing in basketball," Antonich said about this year's camp. "You have to have a good attitude and you have to keep your teammates up."

These offseason camps are instrumental in getting young athletes interested in basketball. When she was younger, Antonich first became interested in basketball the first time she attended one of these camps. Both Antonich's parents played high school basketball, as well, so it was likely she would find herself on the court sooner rather than later.

At the Skylights camp, Antonich gets the opportunity to learn from players from the Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team as well as MSU-N head coach Chris Mouat. With camps like these not coming around too often, Antonich said she enjoys the opportunity to get to work with these players and coaches.

"It's really fun," Antonich said. "They're enjoyable and they communicate and talk with us and they make us have a good time."

Antonich is heading into eighth grade and is hoping to use these offseason camps to become a more rounded player before high school. She hopes to improve on her shooting as well as her attitude when facing adversity. While she still has plenty to learn, Antonich does believe that she does a good job of being a supportive teammate.

Outside of basketball, Antonich often keeps herself busy with other sports. Throughout the years, she has also competed in volleyball, tennis and swimming. When she is not competing in sports, Antonich said she enjoys hanging out with her friends, going to the lake and traveling.

Once the summer is over, Antonich will continue her basketball career when the season returns later this year. Before she begins playing competitive basketball again, Antonich answered five questions for the Havre Daily News.

HDN: What does basketball mean to you?

Antonich: "Basketball is just really fun, being able to be with people is enjoyable. Other teams are helpful and they cheer on even when you get hurt so it's all just really fun overall."

HDN: What have you enjoyed about the Skylights camp?

Antonich: "Playing against each other. Also, people having really good sportsmanship and cheering each other on, even if we don't really know each other."

HDN: Growing up in a basketball family, what did you learn from your parents?

Antonich: "My mom taught me when I was younger how to do different positions in basketball, and when I was younger, my dad showed me how to play post and then just being shown how to play different spots and areas for basketball."

HDN: What do you enjoy the most about basketball?

Antonich: "Probably being with my team and having fun with them. And winning obviously."

HDN: What is the hardest part about basketball?

Antonich: "Probably when people get hurt and you have to help them. Also when you get hurt and you can't play for a while."