Elwood’s intense play powers Durham girls
DURHAM >> Growing up, Melody Elwood stood taller than most girls at school.
She felt self-conscious about her height until she stepped foot on the basketball court.
Now, her love for basketball has allowed her to embrace her towering stature as she’s become a vital part of the Durham High girls basketball team.
“When I was younger I had a hard time with self-esteem. Basketball really helped me have a better time with life,” Elwood said. “It makes me feel like I have a purpose for something.”
Elwood, a 5-foot, 10-inch senior at Durham, has helped dominate the paint as part of the Trojans’ 13-5 and unblemished 4-0 mark in the Mid-Valley League.
“I feel strong and powerful. I’m a post. I’m doing stuff underneath the basket,” Elwood said. “It’s so fun doing something on the court and having the crowd react to it. It’s just the best feeling ever.”
As part of a 47-19 victory over East Nicolaus on Jan. 16, Elwood scored a seasonhigh 14 points. When Durham edged Mount Shasta 36-35 on Jan. 7, Elwood emerged in the fourth quarter to help gut out the win.
“Mel always goes hard. It’s never a question of whether or not you’re going to get 110 percent out of Mel. That’s guaranteed every time,” said Durham head coach Alvyna Goodwin. “Her intensity sometimes comes through in her shot and we worked on really softening those things but keeping the tough and intense fight in her game.”
Goodwin first started coaching Elwood midway through her sophomore year as the JV coach. Since then, she’s watched Elwood maintain her intensity but
mix in finesse and technique when it comes to her footwork.
“The amount of growth I’ve seen of her not just as a basketball player but as an overall person in the last year especially has been outstanding,” Goodwin said. “She’s really done a lot of work on herself and being a better teammate and being a better student. It’s amazing to see that.”
But Elwood’s basketball career took a slump when she suffered a torn ACL her freshman year. She was scrimmaging against the Durham girls varsity team when she took a step back under the basket and felt it tear. She was in line to being pulled up to the varsity team as a freshman.
“I wanted to play in the WNBA. I had dreams,” Elwood said. “My body hurts really bad now. I always have issues with my ankles. I used to want to play in college.”
Elwood went through the lengthy rehab process to try to get back to form on the court. She nearly passed over an opportunity to play her senior season for fear of getting hurt again.
“I changed my mind split second because when I (play basketball) I feel different,” Elwood said. “It’s always been my favorite sport.”
As a sophomore, she began to miss practice and lose motivation. But it was Goodwin who encouraged her to come back out and play the game she loved.
“She told me ‘I care about you a lot. I need you to come here and work,’” Elwood said. “Alvyna is an amazing, strong woman. She’s been there for me for a long time. I love her a lot.”
As a senior, Elwood and the rest of the Trojans are working hard to try and chase an MVL title or even a Northern Section title.
“It would be really cool if we could get there. I really hope we can,” Elwood said.
It will be Elwood’s last season playing basketball since she’s still feeling the effects of tearing her ACL as a freshman. After high school, she’s focused on going into a field where she can help others.
“I really used to want to play somewhere. I feel like for my future I don’t want to damage my body anymore,” Elwood said. “I’m thinking about being a cop … I want to help people.”
As for Goodwin, she’s ecstatic that Elwood continues to play basketball and play an important role on the team.
“Seeing her grow as a person this year is really special. She’s a joy to have with us,” Goodwin said. “Her level of desire to win is just unmatched.”