Nevard makes an impact for LHS
Sophomore is already a leader for girls basketball team
This is part of an occasional series from Leominster High School, highlighting the stories of Blue Devil athletes on and off the field.
Only a sophomore, Isabella Nevard is already a leader both on and off the court.
A perfect example of that leadership is what Nevard did this past summer to welcome the incoming freshmen, reaching out to her new LHS teammates and started doing drills and playing pickup games with them. Leominster girls’ basketball coach Rusty Frederick said he wasn’t surprised at Nevard’s initiative.
“I have coached Isabella Nevard over the last two seasons,” Frederick said. “Isabella has a great work ethic and strives to be the best player she can be. She is always asking questions and trying to improve her basketball skills.”
Frederick said Nevard’s leadership and work ethic extend to the classroom as well.
“Isabella has demonstrated her ability to work hard on the court but also academically,” Frederick added. “Even though remote learning is challenging, she continues to do well in class.”
Nevard started playing basketball when she was six years old.
“It all started when my parents put me in a co-ed recreational league,” she said. “I loved competing and going up against the boys, so this was ideal for me.”
Nevard said the team component of basketball is something she feeds off of.
“If there is one thing that keeps me showing up everyday, despite the endless grinds and physical burdens, it is surely my team,” she said. “I appreciate the social aspect of my team, but feeling the energy and support of nine other dedicated female athletes is certainly what motivates me to come to practice, work hard, and become the best version of myself.”
Nevard said a previous experience really cemented her notion that the team comes first.
“About two years ago, during a
championship game, I sat on the bench with two minutes left, looking nothing but defeated,” Nevard said. “My coach looked me in the face and said ‘don’t make this about you.’ Although this could come off as harsh, this has stuck with me since the moment I heard it. Everyday since then, I’ve chosen to play for something bigger than myself. I believe if everyone does this, we as teammates will learn to play for each other, and in this we will find what the game is really about.”
Nevard is also thankful for coach Frederick and his willingness to push and challenge her to
become better.
“I could not be more thankful for my coach Rusty Frederick who pushes me every day to attain my goals and not only be a good basketball player, but to use my knowledge to build character on and off the court,” she said. “His dedication to my team and the program motivates us to make each other better people, teammates and players. I am also very appreciative of all the coaching staff at Leominster, as they all make sedulous efforts every single day to create a healthy, successful and comfortable culture for all of us players.”
Aside from playing on the Leominster varsity team, Nevard also has played AAU basketball for the Above the Rim Elite and Blaze. She also plays softball and volleyball in the offseason.
At Leominster High, aside from playing volleyball and softball, Nevard is also part of Student Government.
When she is not playing sports, she enjoys reading and writing.
“I also work at a farm where I get to work with animals, which is definitely very important to me,” she added. “Fishing, hiking, any outdoor activity really is something I am passionate about.”