Sophia Becker realized she had to overcome her freshman fears on the basketball floor.

“When I went into a game on varsity as a freshman, I was terrified and so scared,” she recalled. “I was more comfortable playing on JV.

“But I started to gain confidence and believe in myself. I gained a more positive feeling about what I can do.”

As a sophomore this season, Becker had shelved her trepidations. Through 18 games Becker is averaging 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, shooting 56 percent from the floor and 75 percent from the foul line.

Head coach Mark Seremula has valued her work ethic.

“Sophia wants to stay after practice and wants to get better,” he said. “She can dominate the paint, and we are better as a team when we get the ball to her inside early in the game.

“She also is a 75 percent free-throw shooter, which is great for an inside player. She’s a joy to coach, just like the entire team.”

Becker has played the same position since elementary school, and she credits her development to middle school head coach Norm Best.

“No one in my family played basketball,” she said. “Coach Best used to tell me to do my best no matter what the situation was. He taught me so much, and how to be a good post player.”

From there, it was a matter of making the mental adjustment.

“I usually play against older girls,” she said. “I have learned to let that go, and not worry about it. But I have learned more post moves, and it has helped. I needed to work on my foot moves and work on my positioning. I used to feel intimidated, but I don’t feel that way anymore. I feel like I have made a lot of progress.”

Becker is confident that her success can be a sign for the team’s future. The Rough Riders had a 5-13 record to begin the week, but they went winless last season.

“This season, we have grown together as a team,” she said. “We have a very young team, but we have been improving as the season goes along.

“We have been trying not to get nervous about getting a win. We have to keep playing with the same intensity, and learn how to finish games.”