Ever since second grade, when freshman Ruby Airhart started playing basketball, she knew that playing the sport on a higher level team would be a dream she wanted to live out.

“In middle school, I would go see some of the McCallum games and knew I always wanted to be a part of the team,” Airhart said.

Airhart began playing on rec teams and Amateur Athletic Union from a young age. Over the past two years, Airhart called the Lamar Middle School basketball court her home. After trying out for the McCallum program this year and learning she made varsity, Airhart was filled with many emotions.

“I felt surprised, excited and nervous all at the same time,” Airhart said. 

From the moment head coach Carly Kehn saw the type of basketball player and teammate  Airhart is, she knew she would make a great addition to the varsity team. 

“We look for someone who is a good student,” Kehn said, “as well as someone who is a student of the game.” 

Something that stood out to Kehn was when Airhart displayed initiative.

“She was doing the right thing,” Kehn said. “There was this time where all of the basketballs fell off the cart and without being asked Ruby stopped what she was doing and picked them all up.”

Airhart has loved being able to grow as a basketball player as well as a teammate.

“Seeing how I’ve improved in the last few months has been very rewarding,” Airhart said. “I have also loved meeting so many new people.”

Although there are many rewards to being on varsity, Airhart has also had to overcome the struggles of coming from middle school and adjusting to the complexity of playing high school basketball. 

“The biggest challenge has been learning all of the norms,” Airhart said, “especially remembering a bunch of the plays and positions.” 

While playing at a higher level has been an adjustment, it’s one that Airhart feels lucky to be making.

“Although these past couple of months have been overwhelming, it’s been a lot more exciting than any basketball I have ever played before,” she said.

Part of that excitement comes with getting to play with veteran players who are older than her. She has enjoyed getting to know the upperclassmen on varsity, leaders who inspire her every day. 

“They are all role models that I really look up to,” Airhart said. “They are also very welcoming of me and help me learn all of these new plays.” 

One of these role models is varsity point guard junior Emy Chen, who feels that Airhart has been a great addition to the team. She believes that Airhart is a player who is passionate about basketball and who is a positive role model even though she is only a freshman. 

“I think Ruby really does love playing basketball,” Chen said. “You see the joy on her face every time she plays.” 

Her coach has seen this aspect of Airhart’s character, too.

“[She] brings in a new youth perspective as well as the excitement and energy,” Kehn said.

In the time that is remaining in her freshman season, Airhart hopes to incorporate these new plays into her everyday basketball vocabulary so that she can help her class and younger players who join the program just like the upperclassmen are helping her now.

“I hope that I can pick up all of the things that I am learning and use them to get better every year,” Airhart said. “I also want to become a leader for my grade and [for the younger grades] to come.”

Kehn sees Airhart’s leadership potential now in the way that she interacts with her teammates.

“She was just kind to others,” Kehn said. “She would try to talk to people in all different grade levels which is very important.”

Kehn is excited to watch Airhart grow as a player and leader within her time on the team and believes that her traits are something that can’t always be taught.

“I think she really fits in with the program,” Kehn said. “She works hard and wants to do well, which is something you can’t necessarily teach.”

This season, the team has experienced a dynamic shift due to all of the first-year varsity players joining the roster. Chen thinks that Airhart has done an amazing job integrating with the veterans and learning all of the plays.

“It’s a big shift coming from middle school to varsity,” Chen said. “I think she’s adjusting very well.” 

Chen said that Airhart brings a wave of enthusiasm even through the hard times on the court.

“She’s always so positive regardless of the score,” Chen said. “She always gives positive touches and compliments.” 

Airhart’s year of varsity experience will prepare her to be a strong leader for the team for the next three years.  

“Having a freshman on the team is reassuring,” Chen said. “We know that we are leaving our future in good hands.”