NCSA caught up with basketball standout Emily Batliner about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What's your pre-game ritual(s)?
Batliner: What motivates me before a game, is the knowing my opponent, setting a goal and knowing what I have to do to succeed.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Batliner: What I look for in the next level of my game, is the challenge to succeed. Taking my game to a new level and doing something I enjoy.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in? (Is it a family tradition, do you admire an athlete in the sport)?
Batliner: I got involved in sports, because I tried everything at a young age, dance, piano, gymnastics and I enjoyed the competition of sports the most, along with the challenge to be the best.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Batliner: I wasn't sure what to expect in regards to the interaction with colleges and college coaches. I have learned one thing though, you have to sell yourself and be pushy, inflate your ego. You have to have AAU coaches, high coaches, etc. promote you too, for colleges to look at you. Getting letters from mostly NAIA, DIII colleges, and a few DII colleges.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? (Club teams, high school teams)? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Batliner: My school team did very well this year, compared to previous years. I was team captain, therefore a role model to the younger players both on and off the court. This contributed to me being a stronger leader. Playing with confidence.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year? What are also your goals for the summer? Are you looking to improve your speed, skills, acing a course?
Batliner: My first goal is to graduate with an academic honors diploma. I am currently volunteering at my church on Sundays working with the religious education program. I am continuing to follow a weight training program. I also am working with 5th & 6th graders who want to improve their fundamentals on the court. I will be working on improving my speed, along with polishing up fundamentals.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA. Have you learned about how to talk with coaches? Have you learned some rules on playing at the next level? What's the biggest take-away you have from your experience here?
Batliner: NCSA has helped me with what to ask colleges and college coaches. I have learned that you have to sell yourself and be pushy. I was raised that if you have to tell people how good you are, you are probably not; but if you prove how good you are and people see it for themselves that speaks for a lot. Not so, you have to talk yourself up to get interest from colleges, then once you have the colleges attention, show them what you can do. Also your high school and club team coaches have to promote you a lot too. You have to showcase you talents along with having someone, other than a parent, promote you.
