JEFF FIELDER Editor
TORRINGTON, Wyo. – Samantha Hill, a senior at Torrington High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. She’s one of the region’s top basketball players and started on Torrington’s varsity team for three years. She’s also involved in National Honor Society. She has a 3.7 GPA. Her parents are Justin and Deanna Hill.
Q: Talk about how this season went for the Torrington High School varsity girls basketball team.
HILL: “It went pretty well. We came together and worked as a team a lot better than last year.”
Q: Was this the best basketball team you’ve played on in high school?
HILL: “Yes. We had a good height advantage inside, and we had a lot of good guards – people who could control the ball well.”
Q: Do you feel like the team made steady progress this season?
HILL: “When we went to one of our first tournaments, we didn’t play the best. But over the course of the season, we played a lot better.”
Q: Were you pleased with how you played individually?
HILL: “Yes. I had a better season than I did last year. I feel like I was more confident this year. I shot more from the outside this year, which was really cool. I was a post, but I was a shooting guard on the outside sometimes.”
Q: You played other sports in the past. Why did you decide to focus just on basketball this season?
HILL: “Mostly because basketball is my favorite sport. I have a deeper passion and love for it than other sports.”
Q: How would you describe the way your basketball career went overall at Torrington High School?
HILL: “I didn’t love it that much when I was a freshman – probably because I was a little intimidated by the older girls. But from my sophomore to my senior year, it was a lot of fun. I got to develop really good relationships with my teammates and coaches, which made it even better.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
HILL: “I’m going to Eastern Wyoming College for a semester, and then I’ll transfer to Chadron State.”
Q: Why have you decided to go to EWC and Chadron State?
HILL: “It’s cheaper to go to EWC, but Chadron State has a really good education program, and I want to be a teacher. … Also, some of my family went to Chadron State, and they said it’s a really good school. I toured it, and I really loved it.”
Q: What got you interested in becoming a teacher?
HILL: “Throughout the years, I’ve done a lot of babysitting, and I really enjoy being around kids. So, that made me develop a passion for teaching.”
Q: Are you going to play basketball in college?
HILL: “I’m not sure yet. I’ve talked to some coaches, but I don’t know yet.”
Q: Talk about how important school and getting excellent grades are to you.
HILL: “It’s really important to me. I have high standards for myself – I want to keep my grades high.”
Q: How is your school year going overall?
HILL: “Fast, but really good.”
Q: Does this school year seem a lot different to you, being a senior?
HILL: “Yes, because I feel like I’m never at the high school because I’m usually at [EWC] for classes. So, it doesn’t really feel like I’m a high school student. I’m taking a lot of college classes.”
Q: After college, would you like to get a job around the WyoBraska area?
HILL: “Yes, I plan to stick around this area.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in Torrington?
HILL: “I’ve really enjoyed it. You get to know people really well. It’s nice being able to develop great relationships with everyone around town. There’s not a lot to do in Torrington, but everyone in the community is really nice. It’s a nice, small town.”
Q: What is your favorite subject in school?
HILL: “Science. I like doing labs and experimenting.”
Q: Outside of your sports and other school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
HILL: “I like to go hiking and fishing. I like to go to [Guernsey Reservoir or Grayrocks Reservoir].”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Torrington High School?
HILL: “Dani Masterson. She’s a senior. I grew up with her, and she’s kind to everybody no matter who you are. She can always make people laugh and smile.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
HILL: “Criminal Minds.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
HILL: “Country.”
Q: What are you three favorite apps on your cell phone?
HILL: “Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
HILL: “The Bronco Grill House. They have some pretty good wings.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
HILL: “I feel like more people should participate in sports. There’s quite a few kids who don’t play sports. Our football team even had to move down to 2A next year because there’s like nobody coming out for football anymore.”
Q: What are kids doing if they aren’t competing in sports or doing other school activities?
HILL: “I have no idea. I guess they’re just hanging out at home.”
Q: Name one person who you feel is a big difference-maker in your community.
HILL: “Doyle Meyer. He’s a science teacher. He’s very kind and goes out of his way to help people.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
HILL: “Yes, I do. I have one sister, Sydney. She’s 20. She’s going to the University of Wyoming for one more year, and then she’ll go to Denver to be a chemist.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
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