Her interest in basketball started in the sixth grade when she picked up a basketball  and started to play with her dad. Sophomore Julie Nincioni didn’t know much about basketball until she began to discover what the sport was really about. Most of the knowledge she has for basketball was taught by her dad.

Later she played basketball at school with the guys, where the principal noticed her skills. Then she  joined  the 7th and 8th grade team with the recommendation by her principal. It was a huge transition for her because she didn’t really know the players on her team.

From there on she was really excited to participate in high school league basketball, the summer of her Freshman year. Even though playing in the league was not considered “real games” it was competitive because that was kind of the pre- tryouts.

As the current point guard on her JV team, she strives to do better by practicing her dribbling skills and defensive plays. Nincioni’s dad and grandpa  show their support by attending her basketball games. Having them by her side  makes her want to do better in the game of basketball. “I feel like I do better when they are at my games, because I don’t want them to think I play because I have to but because I want to,” she said.

She mentions that her job as point guard is to get the ball down the court and score. “ You get a powerful feeling when you score over a big girl,” said Nincioni. Using peripheral vision and seeing who’s open  is something she is working on getting better at. She also said when things aren’t going good, she tries to have a positive attitude towards the game, her teammates, and her coaches.

With the new season in stride she hopes to defeat the schools in the new SJAA league, which include  McNair, Edison, Franklin, Chavez, and Bear Creek. “ This year it’s going to be different because we don’t have the same girls on the team,” said  Nincioni. Despite the changes, she plans to come out with a positive attitude and make a huge impact on her team.

She feels thankful for her dad teaching her the basics of basketball because she can use those skills at the high school level.

“It’s like I play for my dad and grandpa,” said Nincioni.