LIVING THE DREAM
Danielle Cumby’s strong defensive strategy is translating into much success on the court
A strong defensive strategy is the key to Danielle Cumby’s success on the basketball court.
The athlete plays as part of the bantam Junior Axewomen team with her coach and father Fred Cumby. Keeping it competitive and handling rebounds are two main skills she brings to her team — skills that helped propel them to winning the U14 Division 1 Basketball Nova Scotia Championship recently.
It’s a cloud-nine feeling for Danielle, who has never felt better about her game than she does now.
“I always make sure I don’t get beat on defense. That’s what I do best, I think,” she says.
Dedication to the game even at a young age
Danielle began with basketball at the age of six, and later got involved in the mini division of Acadia’s minor basketball program.
She started off because her dad was involved but grew to love the game on her own. It was just a happy coincidence that her coach was her dad.
“It would have been hard to not play since my dad is so involved,” she laughs. “But, I honestly love basketball. I really starting liking playing the game.”
Danielle kept with the sport and started getting more into regular practice sessions. Her first focus was to perfect her shooting, which she says was her favourite part of the game when she was younger.
She was often found doing just that at school and on her own time — shooting hoops and perfecting that skill.
It’s a sense of dedication she now applies to her defensive game, which she feels is her strongest suit.
“I practice different defense drills with my teammates and play on- the- ball defense, constantly guarding one specific player instead of a general area. That’s how we make sure we win,” she says.
Competition no problem for Cumby
Danielle played basketball on her junior high school teams at Kings County Academy in Grade 6, followed by Evangeline Middle School in Grade 7 and 8.
Now, at the age of 14, her primary focus is playing with the Junior Axewomen, practicing and staying diligent to ensure their game is played with high-energy and skill.
Keeping the game competitive has become her favourite aspect of playing, and she doesn’t shy away from it.
It’s something Fred has picked up on as well. The coach says his daughter has had her best-ever year of playing and has stepped her own game up several notches.
He says her progress is most evident in the small things she does to make her game more precise.
“Danielle took herself to a higher level of competition this year, playing with more energy, care and enthusiasm,” he says.
“And so, by adding these performance traits, she became a low-maintenance, high-performance player, which makes coaching easier and more enjoyable.”
Working as a team key to success, fun
The team has a unique set up in that no player has a set role on the team, but rather practices each position, ensuring they’re all helping out in all situations.
Danielle says this is one of the things her team does right, and credits this as being the biggest driver in their extremely successful season.
She says players constantly had each other’s backs, so if a mistake was made, someone was there to help and fix what happened, and keep that winning energy going.
“When we work hard together, when everybody is dedicated to winning and the energy is really high, we do our best and move the ball around. Everyone is moving and driving, and we went into every game knowing ‘yeah, we can win this,’” she says.
But being competitive and keeping energy high is only one part of the game Danielle has grown to love.
Practices and games are some of the most fun times Danielle says she’s had and that this is really what keeps her going.
“We’re so supportive of each other, and always have a blast together. Every time we meet for practice, I’m having fun and laughing,” she says.
Season not over just yet
The team is fresh off its big win at provincials and have travelled to play a tournament in Quebec City.
Next up is the junior National Basketball Association world championship Canada regionals tournament in Halifax May 4 to 6. The team will face up against teams including Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland in the Canada Atlantic regional section of the tournament.
If they win, the team will advance to the Canada regional finals from June 15 to 17 in St. Catharines, ON.
Danielle says she and her teammates are excited about the possible trip — the furthest they’ve traveled to play is Montreal.
But most of all, she’s looking forward to facing up against the other teams from across the Atlantic region.
“The competition is really high and fun, so it’s fun to compete with my teammates against the other teams. We’ve got that edge but still have such a good time,” she says.