By Cooper Chadwick
Wichita Northwest’s Aniah Simpson, a senior power forward and center for the Grizzlies, spent a majority of her offseason preparing to have a successful senior year.
“During off season I just go to the gym and workout. I also play AAU basketball during the summer…One thing I want to improve on this season is my shooting ability. Some ways I worked on that during the off season would be going to the YMCA and shooting around at the basketball court,” Simpson said.
Finishing last season with a record of 4-17, Simpson and the Grizzlies are hungry for success this year.
“As a team, I think our biggest goal is to improve from last season and not let last year’s record define us. I think we need a little bit of better chemistry, we need to play hard for all four quarters, and compete in every game no matter the opponent,” Simpson said.
Simpson is a captain for the Grizzlies and apart from just wanting to win she has a deeper motivation, to help lead this team to success, for her mom who passed away freshman year to cancer.
“I think the role that I play is a hardworking and dependable player who brings all the energy. I try my best to focus on little things like boxing out, getting rebounds and trying to get assists to my teammates. I also try to be a positive presence by encouraging my teammates when I’m on the bench and nobody’s losing their heads over the game,” Simpson said.
