By Matt Browning

Laynie Winfrey, a basketball player at Bishop Carroll, was chosen for the Melanie Rene Jewelry Profile for May. As a freshman, Winfrey made an impact on the Eagles’ varsity team this season.

“I am very honored and humbled that I was chosen,” Winfrey said. “There are so many of my teammates who deserve this. It is just another thing to mentally push me through my workouts.”

Being a freshman on the varsity team was a valuable learning experience for Winfrey. The lessons she learned she will take going forward over her next three years.

“Our team made it to the state tournament, but we did not perform like we hoped we would,” Winfrey said. “It was very hard to watch the seniors and how upset they were. Their high school basketball career was over. That day I said to myself you can’t be satisfied just making it to the state tournament.  You have to push your teammates to finish and accomplish the end goal of winning the state championship.”

Basketball is the only sport and extracurricular activity Winfrey participates in at Bishop Carroll. However, basketball takes up the majority of her time outside of the high school season.

“Outside of Bishop Carroll I participate on two club basketball teams,” Winfrey said. “I play on the Next Level 16U & Next Level LifePrep 17U teams. Playing up on the Next Level LifePrep 17U team has pushed me to get better in all areas of my game. It has also given me an opportunity that is unique. I get the opportunity to play with international girls from Columbia, Poland, Africa, and Ukraine.”