Ayaniv Old Mouse is a two-sport seventh grader at St. John Paul II Catholic School. She is in her second year as an Eagle, playing basketball and running for the cross-country team.
Ayaniv has also played basketball for the Sandhills Lady Spartans, a local travel basketball team, for three years.
“Basketball is my favorite sport. It’s more competitive and fun with teammates. They are like my family,” said Ayaniv.
Sandhills Sentinel spoke with Ayaniv on Jan. 23 after a big win against county rivals Sandhills Classical Christian School. Ayaniv helped her team come back after hitting the game-winning shot with just under a minute to go in the 20-19 win.
“This game was my favorite memory,” said Ayaniv. “It was good for me and was the most fun I’ve had. Hitting that shot was very exciting. I was proud of myself.”
“Her smile makes a difference with the team,” said head basketball coach Travis Alfrey. When she is playing in herself, smiling, and having fun, she is the team leader. The best I saw her play was tonight. She had that smile and put in the effort the entire game. She led and was yelling to the team, and that is why she is the captain. She puts in unseen hours, and I’m proud of her.”
Only playing one sport until this year, Ayaniv started running cross-country and won her first race at the Grace Christian Invitational.
“To her surprise, she was quite successful and garnered one of the top three team positions for the girls’ team and was an instrumental top five runner for the girls’ team,” said Abbey Flores, athletic director. “Every meet, she improved her run time and truly grew as a multi-sport athlete.”
In the classroom, Ayaniv maintains a 3.85 GPA and loves ELA and social studies. She plans to be a doctor when she grows up.
In her spare time, Ayaniv likes attending basketball camps and watching her favorite basketball teams, the Indiana Fever and Orlando Magic. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, coloring, and babysitting for family friends.
“I like being there for them and spending time with them,” said Ayaniv.
If you want to nominate a middle or high school student-athlete for this series, please email [email protected].
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.
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