Athletics Player Profiles
Romy D. ’26
Varsity Girls’ Basketball
Romy D. ’26 has been playing basketball since elementary school. Though she was always athletic and involved in sports, she initially felt too shy to join the team when she started Campbell Hall in middle school. But in 9th grade, she finally gained the courage to try out and earned a spot on the JV team.Although Romy has natural ability, she had to learn many skills. "When I first joined the team, I didn’t know the footwork," she said. "I didn’t even know how to make a layup." But Coach CJ and Coach Canty recognized her potential and helped her train. By mid-season, they moved her up to Varsity, making her one of the youngest players on the roster.
"I was really nervous and lacked confidence," she continued. “But because of my height (5’10”), I was able to rebound the ball quickly and carve out a niche for myself."
That same year, the team advanced to the CIF playoffs. In the first round, all of the senior starters fouled out. "It was a close game, and I was so nervous," Romy recalled. She thought back to the previous week’s practices, when Coach Canty had shown film of the opposing team and taught them how to "take a charge". As the game neared the end, Romy broke free and drew the charge. "I didn’t even do it right because I flung backwards," she laughed. "But the whole bench went crazy, and we ended up winning."
Now a co-captain, Romy is committed to supporting the team and maximizing each player's potential. "For the past three years, we’ve made it to the playoffs and have come so close to going all the way," she said. "I think a lot about how we can make small improvements. I want to be the glue that uplifts the team and brings that momentum into every game, especially heading into the playoffs."
Basketball fills the entire year for Romy. After the winter season, spring training begins within weeks, followed by summer league games. During the season, practices run four to five times a week for two hours, with weekend games and regular weight training. After undergoing knee surgery in elementary school and suffering a few sprained ankles over the years, Romy pays close attention to injury prevention through yoga, stretching, and recovery icing.
Romy’s dedication is rooted in years of practice, including countless hours at the hoop her parents bought during COVID. With so much time at home, she spent a lot of time shooting baskets to clear her head, which she continues to do to this day. "It helps calm me down and gives me the headspace to focus," she said. "It’s my outlet." Her focus and perseverance paid off because in her Junior year, Romy received First Team Gold Coast All-League honors.
Academically, Romy is equally driven. This year she’s taking AP Statistics and AP Economics, deepening her interest in business and the growing landscape of women’s sports. She’s fascinated by the rise in WNBA viewership and the broader economic momentum behind women’s athletics. "It’s inspiring for younger girls to see," she said. "There’s so much potential to build on that." Outside of basketball, Romy loves cooking with her mom, preparing healthy meals for the week. She also enjoys camping and mountain biking. When she graduates, Romy knows she’ll miss the Campbell Hall community, the friendships she’s built since middle school, and the support she's received from her teachers. But she is excited about what comes next. She has committed to Williams College after falling in love with the campus and feeling deeply connected to the women’s basketball program and the coach’s values.
Romy’s advice to younger student-athletes applies just as much to life as it does to sports. "Your mindset plays into what type of player you’re going to be, and hard work beats talent," she said. "I wasn’t a naturally strong ball handler, so I had to put in the extra work and always give my personal best. It can be scary, but take a chance, trust yourself, and stick with it. You’ll build confidence and get to your goal."
Back
That same year, the team advanced to the CIF playoffs. In the first round, all of the senior starters fouled out. "It was a close game, and I was so nervous," Romy recalled. She thought back to the previous week’s practices, when Coach Canty had shown film of the opposing team and taught them how to "take a charge". As the game neared the end, Romy broke free and drew the charge. "I didn’t even do it right because I flung backwards," she laughed. "But the whole bench went crazy, and we ended up winning."
Now a co-captain, Romy is committed to supporting the team and maximizing each player's potential. "For the past three years, we’ve made it to the playoffs and have come so close to going all the way," she said. "I think a lot about how we can make small improvements. I want to be the glue that uplifts the team and brings that momentum into every game, especially heading into the playoffs."
Basketball fills the entire year for Romy. After the winter season, spring training begins within weeks, followed by summer league games. During the season, practices run four to five times a week for two hours, with weekend games and regular weight training. After undergoing knee surgery in elementary school and suffering a few sprained ankles over the years, Romy pays close attention to injury prevention through yoga, stretching, and recovery icing.
Romy’s dedication is rooted in years of practice, including countless hours at the hoop her parents bought during COVID. With so much time at home, she spent a lot of time shooting baskets to clear her head, which she continues to do to this day. "It helps calm me down and gives me the headspace to focus," she said. "It’s my outlet." Her focus and perseverance paid off because in her Junior year, Romy received First Team Gold Coast All-League honors.
Academically, Romy is equally driven. This year she’s taking AP Statistics and AP Economics, deepening her interest in business and the growing landscape of women’s sports. She’s fascinated by the rise in WNBA viewership and the broader economic momentum behind women’s athletics. "It’s inspiring for younger girls to see," she said. "There’s so much potential to build on that." Outside of basketball, Romy loves cooking with her mom, preparing healthy meals for the week. She also enjoys camping and mountain biking. When she graduates, Romy knows she’ll miss the Campbell Hall community, the friendships she’s built since middle school, and the support she's received from her teachers. But she is excited about what comes next. She has committed to Williams College after falling in love with the campus and feeling deeply connected to the women’s basketball program and the coach’s values.
Romy’s advice to younger student-athletes applies just as much to life as it does to sports. "Your mindset plays into what type of player you’re going to be, and hard work beats talent," she said. "I wasn’t a naturally strong ball handler, so I had to put in the extra work and always give my personal best. It can be scary, but take a chance, trust yourself, and stick with it. You’ll build confidence and get to your goal."
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