Bixby Senior Transitions to 6A, Signs With DII Champs
By MIKE MOGUIN
GTR Sports Writer
GUNNING FOR STATE: Schovanec in action during a game at Whitey Ford Sports Complex last month.
Photo courtesy of Bixby High School Athletic Department
Since arriving at Bixby last year, Sydnee Schovanec has been a force for the Lady Spartans on the court.
The 6-0 senior post/guard came as a move-in from Rejoice Christian in Owasso and had to transition fast.
“It’s a lot different because I was in 2A at Rejoice and this is 6A,” Schovanec said. “Coming into the program, I’ve jelled with the girls. It really has been great.”
The pace of the game and caliber of girls you’re competing with and against makes a difference from Class 2A to 6A, Schovanec said.
“In 2A, you have one or two girls who are good,” she added. “But, here, everybody is good, every team is good and can win any night. The Frontier Conference is the best in the state.”
A year ago, Bixby Coach Tina Thomas said Schovanec was a great addition to the squad. She described her as someone who is athletic, likes to get up and down the floor, plays good defense, can score the 3 and score in the post. It showed as Schovanec helped the Lady Spartans to a 20-8 finish and a trip to the Class 6A state tournament.
Schovanec loves to give props to her teammates when any of them make a big play.
What draws her out to the sport of basketball is the challenge of going out every night and work.
“You can’t just expect to be good. You have to put in the work to see the results,” she said.
Being versatile at the post and guard positions is also relished by Schovanec.
“Being able to do both is really nice,” she said.
And being passionate is what she believes stands out most when it comes to her hardwood skills.
“I’m a big presence on the court. My presence is more known than my skill,” Schovanec said.
After graduating from Bixby, Schovanec will be taking her talents up north to Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri, roughly 60 miles southeast of Kansas City.
“I really liked the coaches and the team, and the area is like a small college town in the middle of nowhere,” she said. “But, I still love it. I love all the people there. I need to get away. It’s kind of scary leaving your home, but I’m excited for the new chapter in my life and seeing what my college career can be.”
Schovanec will join a program that won the Division II National Championship last season.
In the meantime, she and the rest of the Lady Spartans intend to play their best to make it back to state.
“We hope to get a shot back. I think we really have a good shot this year going to state with the girls we have and to play every game as hard as possible,” Schovanec said. “That’s all we can ask, and to have a good senior year. We have four seniors on our team, so all of us hope to have a good ending.”
Besides Schovanec, the other three seniors are Savanna Stout (5-9, guard), Dariann Myles (5-5, guard) and Sydney Page (5-9, guard). Other talent on the roster incudes junior Avery King (5-10, post), along with sophomores Janiyah Hendricks (5-3, guard), Kate Bradley (5-6, guard) and Ashley Moriarity (5-6, guard).
As of the end of December, the Lady Spartans were 6-3 and ranked 18th in the state 6A poll. The toughest competition for Bixby this year, Schovanec believes, will be Sand Springs, who was 6-2 and No. 8.
“They are always a challenge for us. They also have four seniors,” she said. “They’ll probably be our hardest competition at least on this side (of the state). That’s going to be a good game.”
Bixby is scheduled to play Sand Springs Feb. 12 at home.
Updated 01-18-2019
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