Athlete Profile: Camryn Long

Gillett senior playing a role in recent success on court

GILLETT — The Gillett High School girls basketball team entered the weekend on a six-game winning streak. Senior Camryn Long has helped the team find its groove over the past few weeks.

Long provides leadership and a post presence for the Tigers. She averages 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

The senior scored a season-high 13 points in a win over Gibraltar on Jan. 7, while grabbing a season-high 10 rebounds against Oconto on Dec. 27.

“Camryn is awesome; she is a realist,” said Gillett coach Justin Daul. “She knows the things she can do while also knowing her limitations; she makes coaching her fun. She is a jokester that tries as hard as she can to make the best out of her worst days. She is a tremendous supporter of her teammates, and I believe that’s particularly why she’s been a two-year captain.

“The fun, loving, supportive kid is the type of infectious attitude you want in your program. She has grown so much from her early years. I wish her all the best as she continues academically down at Milwaukee.”

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: My interest in basketball began way back in elementary school, around fifth grade. Both my older brothers (Clint, Cole) played, and my dad (Russ) coached. So I’ve been around the game my whole life.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: My favorite part about basketball season is just getting to compete. I consider myself a pretty competitive person, and getting to go out on the court and play other teams with my girls is always so much fun.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you’d like to accomplish in your final season on the court?

A: My biggest goal for my final season is just to have fun and leave everything on the court.

Q: The team seems to be finding its groove on the court of late. What’s been the reason behind that?

A: I think we’re finally starting to focus in and recognize the level that we have to practice and play at to go far this season.

Q: As a post player, how do you prepare for each game and then recover in between games?

A: We work on post moves and free throws every practice, which is essential to prepare for the game. Recovery is pretty simple — eat and rest well afterwards. Nothing beats a pregame nap, though.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Gillett girls basketball team?

A: There are so many amazing memories from basketball! The one that stands out was from my junior year on picture day. I took a video asking one of my teammates if she was nervous to get her picture taken, and she responded with “I’m nervousssss” in a really goofy voice. It became our phrase of the year.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school basketball?

A: The thing I am going to miss the most about basketball is definitely the girls and getting to play with them. I really like that as a team we go above and beyond to support and love each other, even if one of us is having a rough game or practice.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: My favorite TV show is “Black Mirror.” My favorite movie is “Call Me By Your Name” because I absolutely love Timothee Chalamet. My favorite musical artist is either Frank Ocean or Lil Peep.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: Many people don’t know that I am actually Native American. Even though it is not very easy to tell by my complexion, I am a little less than a quarter Menominee Indian.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: If I am not at practice or a game, you can probably find me at a friend’s house.

Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: “Don’t sweat the small stuff” because it pertains to basketball and life. If you make a mistake on one end of the court, make up for it on the other. If something happens in life, you just have to move on and try again next time.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating from high school?

A: After high school, I plan on attending UW-Milwaukee and hopefully graduate with a degree in finance.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Camryn Long

Sport: Girls basketball

Position: Post

School: Gillett High School

Year: Senior