Junior Nathan Stacy played varsity basketball his freshman and sophomore year and is preparing for his third year on the team. Basketball has always been a constant in Stacy’s life.

“Competitively playing, this will be my ninth year,” Stacy said. “But I’ve been playing my whole life out in the driveway.”

Stacy had a chance to step up to varsity earlier than many of his teammates, playing his freshman year.

“It was fun that first year,” Stacy said. “There were four of us that played JV and varsity and [junior] Kendall [Short] was just varsity, so it wasn’t just me.”

Basketball is a common interest among Stacy’s family. Both his father and his two older sisters played basketball in high school as well.

“It’s just my whole family played basketball so my dad taught me how to play at a young age,” Stacy said. “I look up to him as a player because he played similar to the way I play.”

His experience with the Mill Valley basketball team has been a positive one.

“I like the people who play and I like talking with them,” Stacy said. “It’s a fun group of people. I just like actually playing basketball. The games are the best.”

Some of his best memories with the team have been at the games.

“Probably my best memory with Mill Valley basketball was beating Basehor last year,” Stacy said. “We weren’t expected to win, so for us to come together as a team and knock them off felt good.”

The Basehor game last year wasn’t the only game that Stacy really came through for the team.

“Last year against Piper I scored 26,” Stacy said. “I had a bunch of assists. I felt like I could take control of the game if need be.”

Stacy plans on pursuing basketball after high school and hopes to play at a small Div. I college. Stacy is able to stand out from the rest of the team not only because of his skills, but also his work ethic.

“My ability to see the floor really helps me,” Stacy said. “I know where everyone is on the court and I can pass it to anyone.”

Much of Stacy’s time is consumed by activities other than basketball. He is a long time piano player (read more about that here) and takes three AP classes as a junior.

“My challenging classes are what take up most of my time,” Stacy said.

Stacy’s hopes for the team are high this year.

“I want to go to state and win league,” Stacy said. “I think we’ll really come together as a team this year.”

By Kaitlin Rounds

Photo by Emily Johnson