BY HEIDI ZENEFSKI
Sports Correspondent

Seven years ago, Nate Shay bought a basketball hoop for his daughter and started teaching her how to play the game. Soon it became a big part of Nicole Shay’s life.

Shay, a Susquehanna Community High School senior, is the Independent’s Student Athlete of the Week.

The Lady Sabers had an up and down season, according to Shay, but they continued “to fight and make the best of it.”

Susquehanna girls basketball season ended in round 2 of the Class A playoffs with a loss to Old Forge, the team that claimed the Class A championship title.

In addition to basketball, Shay plays volleyball and softball for Susquehanna Community and also plays as part of a travel softball team once the school season is over. Softball is her favorite sport, she said. Practices for the spring sports season are underway around the league.

Keeping her grades up in school is also important to Shay. “I have achieved Merit Roll consistently, and also received many Student of the Month awards,” she said.

She loves being outdoors and camping with her family when she isn’t playing softball in the summer.

With her career path undecided, Shay plans to seek employment after graduating while she decides what and where she wants to study.

Shay is the daughter of Nate Shay and Danielle Hook and lives in Ararat Township.