For Shaziya Roberts, it has been all about confidence. The kind of confidence that has helped her shake her timidity and blossom into a team captain this winter.

The Catasauqua senior forward/center played basketball for the first time in sixth grade and then again in eight grade, but she admittedly was apprehensive about moving ahead to high school.

In fact, basketball appeared not to be a major priority. It was a sport that she played on the organized and competitive front for only two years before high school

“My family pushed me to play,” recalled Roberts. “I had a number of people in my family play basketball. I never really thought too much about it.

“But it was something that I thought I would do and knew that I had to make a commitment. It was a whole new environment. I really am a pretty shy person around new people. Being part of a team was something I never had been part of before.”

Her sheepishness state kept her from trying out her freshman year.

“I thought about playing, but then I realize that high school basketball was something that I wasn’t going to do,” she said. “But then I decided to go back out in my sophomore year.

“It was a lot easier being around girls I knew growing up and the coaches made it a lot easier for me. This current coaching staff had made it easier and they treat us all like family. I really have appreciated that.”

Head coach Mark Seremula has watched Roberts develop her game in the paint and become a consistent starter.

“She (Roberts) is finally realizing her potential to change games with her rebounding and shot blocking,” stated Seremula. “She has worked really hard over the past three years to get better and has become a leader by example this year.

“She typifies a true captain, is a pleasure to coach, and will be successful because of her work ethic.”

Roberts certainly has taken the cue.

“I am really excited to be playing more often,” she said. “I am just trying to do anything I can to help the team. My coaches have helped me become more physical and it has made a difference. It is something I know I have to do to have some success.”

Roberts also has thrown the javelin and ran hurdles for the track team since her sophomore year and has been a cheerleader. She plans on pursuing a degree in elementary education next fall, and is reviewing her college choices.

“I went on a job search my junior year and that’s when I decided to become a teacher,” added Roberts. “I believe it will be a good job for me.

“But I want to finish my high school career on a high note first.”