Noble's Isabel Black – Academic Athlete of the Month Presented by Republic Bank & Trust

By John Tranchina

The adjustment to high school basketball has been a process, but freshman Isabel Black is improving and gradually making an impact on the court for Noble.

Black is playing on both the Freshman JV and the varsity teams at Noble, and the extra time on the court has helped accelerate her growth as a player.

“It has been hard adjusting to playing high school, just going from middle school to high school,” said Black, who has been playing basketball for about six years. “It’s like a different level and competing, you’re learning new skills and getting to be on the court with my teammates, you learn something new every day. It’s just a lot different. It’s a whole bigger school, you’re playing with seniors and all of them, instead of just 7th and 8th graders.”

Part of the improvement process has been due to Black gradually gaining her confidence on the court and shaking the tentative tendencies that come with being worried that she’ll mess up.

“I definitely got out of my comfort zone and am shooting more and trying to be more aggressive and just not so down on myself,” said Black, who also plays soccer. “I can really actually do it and not be so scared, just not afraid to make mistakes and stuff.”

In the classroom, Black’s transition to high school has gone much smoother.

“It’s really important to me, because I know I have to pass all my classes, to be able to play sports and be able to play on the court,” she said of her academics.

Noble coach Lindsey Vanderburg has been happy with what she’s seen so far.

“She is a great team player who is very coachable and shows great effort day-in and day-out,” Vanderburg said of Black. “She is a great example of a student athlete. Never have to worry about her grades or attendance.”

 

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