By By Chandler Myers
Four years go by quickly for a teenager, and for senior Lady Blue Devils basketball player Courtney English it has flown by like four quarters in a basketball game.
English, a four-year starter for the Lady Blue Devils, has become the heart and soul of the team over the last couple of years, but is more than just a basketball player and student at ECHS.
She uses her work ethic that she puts forth on the basketball court and uses it to do her best at her job.
Currently employed at Pizza Hut, she is soon to start working at McDonalds.
English said she gained the motivation to have a job from her peers at school. She added that the money she makes is going towards her college education.
Basketball became a part of English’s life at an early age due to the influence of her older brother.
English said she followed mimicked everything her brother did because she wanted to just like him.
The sport she loves has helped mold the person that English has become. She has developed great memories of playing for ECHS.
English said the best memory she has of her playing days is a victory over T.R. Miller in the 2005-06 season. She added that another great memory is making the Elite Eight in the state playoffs.
Now four years later, English is in her final season of playing for the Lady Blue Devils and has her sights set on some big prizes.
First, English said she wants to finish out her career by reaching the state finals. She added if she cannot make it that far then another trip to the Elite Eight would be a great accomplishment.
“I really would like to make it to the Final Four or the state championship this season,” English said. “I know it is going to take a lot of hard work for my teammates and I, but I think we have the talent and teamwork to do it. If I can’t make it that far then I would feel like we accomplished a goal by making it to the Elite Eight again. I just want to finish out my career on a high note.”
The Lady Blue Devils have started the 2008-09 season with a 2-0 record, and English is putting up strong averages.
English is averaging 10. 5 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, one and a half assists, and continuing her strong play will help her with her second goal.
The second goal that English hopes to accomplish is to continue to play basketball in college.
She said she would like to be recruited by a Division 1 school, and added that her favorite school might be different than most females who play high school basketball.
English’s next game is Monday evening at Northview at 6 p.m.