SARATOGA SPRINGS — Dolly Carins, 16, is the only Junior serving as one of the three captains of the Saratoga High School Girls Varsity Basketball team.
Carins was introduced to the world of basketball when she would tag along with her dad and brother for her brother’s practices. While her brother eventually left the sport, Carins’ basketball career was only beginning. In the 7th grade, Carins was playing for her school’s JV team, when halfway through the season she was bumped up to Varsity.
Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics would be Carins’ most admired athlete.
“Just because I think he puts a lot of time in on the court, said Carins. “And then watching him play, it gets better every time I watch him… I really like him a lot.”
She certainly follows his lead with a dedication to the sport outside of her scheduled practices. As she prepares for her season to begin, she spends her autumn mornings waking up at 5:30 a.m to begin her hour of shooting practice by 6:15 a.m, four times a week.
Carins attributes her success to her support systems, both on and off the court. When asked who her biggest fans were, without hesitation she said, “my parents. They are always at every game, they love coming.”
For many athletes, the scoreboard and games are the most glorified aspect of their sports careers, but for Carins, winning comes in second to what she values most about her time in the sport.
“I like the relationships that I’ve made with my teammates throughout all of the different teams that I’ve played for — I think those last a lifetime. When I’m older I think I’ll remember that more than I’ll remember winning and losing a game. “
Even during a loss, which Is Carins’ least favorite aspect of the sport, she keeps a positive attitude for the sake of her teammates. “We can’t let that (losing) ruin us for the rest of the season,” said Carins. “We just have to come back better.”
Carins plans on taking that determination and can do attitude throughout college, where she hopes to play basketball before pursuing a stable career.
