Athlete Spotlight: SVCA girls’ basketball player Shannon Conradi

Shannon Conradi

Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy 18-year-old senior

Sport: Basketball

Position: Forward

Parents: Lynne and Greg Conradi

Hometown: Born in Fairfax before moving to Winchester when she was nine years old.

Nickname: “Sid” It means “Shannon is delightful.” My grandpa came up with it before he died and my family calls me that.

When did you start playing basketball: I started when I was six years old. My older brother and sister, Steve and Melissa , were playing so it motivated me to play.

What you love about basketball: I love the intensity and how if you make a mistake you can run back and fix your mistake.

Biggest strength and weakness in basketball: I’m left-handed so my left hand is my strong side and my weak side is my right side. I blow past people when I go left, but when I go right, I can dribble right but I’m not very good, it’s my weakness.

Sport you always wanted to try: I always wanted to try volleyball. I like the way the game’s played, with all the quarters and setting. I’ve played around just to joke and I’ve tried setting.

Most memorable moment in basketball: We won states and regionals last year, and then we took second at nationals, so that was really memorable for our team. And I made the all-tournament team for nationals. And it was the first time in our school’s history that the boys’ team and the girls’ team won states and regionals.

Most embarrassing moment in basketball: Probably when I got blocked my sophomore year and the girls just laughed at me.

Favorite athlete: I like [Miami Heat forward] Lebron James. He’s very dedicated and he knows what he’s doing, he knows how to take it to the basket.

Favorite sports team: I like all Duke [University] teams. My brother likes them a lot.

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive:Jesus Christ because I love him with all my heart. [Actress in Vampire Diaries] Nina Dobrev, she’s in my favorite show and she’s the main character. And [actor] Channing Tatum because he’s in a lot of movies that I like and enjoy and he’s really hot.

Favorite Quote: My dad always tells me before every game “it’s mental” and it just reminds me to keep my head in the game and not on anything else.

Favorite subject in school: I like English because in my school we have vocab, grammar and literature and I like the variety. And I’m not good at math.

What’s on the iPod: I have Christian music and I have KISS FM, like 98.3 kind of stuff. I love Taylor Swift even though she’s country.

Pregame routine/ritual: I pray before every game and then I listen to my iPod.

Plans after high school: I’m going to go to LFCC for my first semester and then I want to transfer to either Liberty or JMU. I want to get a scholarship for basketball if I can. I either want to do special ed or be a dental hygienist.

— Compiled by Kevin Trudgeon